1.10a Vectors in 2D: i,j notation and column vectors

356 questions

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OCR MEI M1 Q2
7 marks Standard +0.3
2 The position vector of a particle at time \(t\) is given by $$\mathbf { r } = \frac { 1 } { 2 } t \mathbf { i } + \left( t ^ { 2 } - 1 \right) \mathbf { j } .$$ referred to an origin \(O\) where \(\mathbf { i }\) and \(\mathbf { j }\) are the standard unit vectors in the directions of the cartesian axes Ox and Oy respectively.
  1. Write down the value of \(t\) for which the \(x\)-coordinate of the position of the particle is 2 . Find the \(y\)-coordinate at this time.
  2. Show that the cartesian equation of the path of the particle is \(y = 4 x ^ { 2 } - 1\).
  3. Find the coordinates of the point where the particle is moving at \(45 ^ { \circ }\) to both Ox and Oy .
OCR MEI M1 Q3
8 marks Moderate -0.8
3 The vectors \(\mathbf { p }\) and \(\mathbf { q }\) are given by $$\mathbf { p } = 8 \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } \text { and } \mathbf { q } = 4 \mathbf { i } - 7 \mathbf { j } .$$
  1. Show that \(\mathbf { p }\) and \(\mathbf { q }\) are equal in magnitude.
  2. Show that \(\mathbf { p } + \mathbf { q }\) is parallel to \(2 \mathbf { i } - \mathbf { j }\).
  3. Draw \(\mathbf { p } + \mathbf { q }\) and \(\mathbf { p } - \mathbf { q }\) on the grid. Write down the angle between these two vectors.
OCR MEI M1 Q4
8 marks Moderate -0.3
4 In this question, \(\mathbf { i }\) is a horizontal unit vector and \(\mathbf { j }\) is a unit vector pointing vertically upwards.
A force \(\mathbf { F }\) is \(- \mathbf { i } + 5 \mathbf { j }\).
  1. Calculate the magnitude of \(\mathbf { F }\). Calculate also the angle between \(\mathbf { F }\) and the upward vertical. Force \(\mathbf { G }\) is \(2 a \mathbf { i } + a \mathbf { j }\) and force \(\mathbf { H }\) is \(- 2 \mathbf { i } + 3 b \mathbf { j }\), where \(a\) and \(b\) are constants. The force \(\mathbf { H }\) is the resultant of forces \(4 \mathbf { F }\) and \(\mathbf { G }\).
  2. Find \(\mathbf { G }\) and \(\mathbf { H }\).
OCR MEI M1 Q5
6 marks Moderate -0.3
5 The resultant of the force \(\binom { - 4 } { 8 } \mathrm {~N}\) and the force \(\mathbf { F }\) gives an object of mass 6 kg an acceleration of \(\binom { 2 } { 3 } \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 2 }\).
  1. Calculate \(\mathbf { F }\).
  2. Calculate the angle between \(\mathbf { F }\) and the vector \(\binom { 0 } { 1 }\).
OCR MEI M1 Q6
7 marks Moderate -0.5
6 The force acting on a particle of mass 1.5 kg is given by the vector \(\binom { 6 } { 9 } \mathrm {~N}\).
  1. Give the acceleration of the particle as a vector.
  2. Calculate the angle that the acceleration makes with the direction \(\binom { 1 } { 0 }\).
  3. At a certain point of its motion, the particle has a velocity of \(\binom { - 2 } { 3 } \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\). Calculate the displacement of the particle over the next two seconds.
OCR MEI M1 Q7
7 marks Moderate -0.3
7 A force \(\mathbf { F }\) is given by \(\mathbf { F } = ( 3.5 \mathbf { i } + 12 \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { N }\), where \(\mathbf { i }\) and \(\mathbf { j }\) are horizontal unit vectors east and north respectively.
  1. Calculate the magnitude of \(\mathbf { F }\) and also its direction as a bearing.
  2. \(\mathbf { G }\) is the force \(( 7 \mathbf { i } + 24 \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { N }\). Show that \(\mathbf { G }\) and \(\mathbf { F }\) are in the same direction and compare their magnitudes.
  3. Force \(\mathbf { F } _ { 1 }\) is \(( 9 \mathbf { i } - 18 \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { N }\) and force \(\mathbf { F } _ { 2 }\) is \(( 12 \mathbf { i } + q \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { N }\). Find \(q\) so that the sum \(\mathbf { F } _ { 1 } + \mathbf { F } _ { 2 }\) is in the direction of \(\mathbf { F }\).
AQA M3 2007 June Q2
10 marks Standard +0.3
2 The unit vectors \(\mathbf { i } , \mathbf { j }\) and \(\mathbf { k }\) are directed due east, due north and vertically upwards respectively. Two helicopters, \(A\) and \(B\), are flying with constant velocities of \(( 20 \mathbf { i } - 10 \mathbf { j } + 20 \mathbf { k } ) \mathrm { ms } ^ { - 1 }\) and \(( 30 \mathbf { i } + 10 \mathbf { j } + 10 \mathbf { k } ) \mathrm { m } \mathrm { s } ^ { - 1 }\) respectively. At noon, the position vectors of \(A\) and \(B\) relative to a fixed origin, \(O\), are \(( 8000 \mathbf { i } + 1500 \mathbf { j } + 3000 \mathbf { k } ) \mathrm { m }\) and \(( 2000 \mathbf { i } + 500 \mathbf { j } + 1000 \mathbf { k } ) \mathrm { m }\) respectively.
  1. Write down the velocity of \(A\) relative to \(B\).
  2. Find the position vector of \(A\) relative to \(B\) at time \(t\) seconds after noon.
  3. Find the value of \(t\) when \(A\) and \(B\) are closest together.
AQA M3 2008 June Q2
8 marks Moderate -0.3
2 The unit vectors \(\mathbf { i }\) and \(\mathbf { j }\) are directed due east and due north respectively.
Two runners, Albina and Brian, are running on level parkland with constant velocities of \(( 5 \mathbf { i } - \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { m } \mathrm { s } ^ { - 1 }\) and \(( 3 \mathbf { i } + 4 \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { m } \mathrm { s } ^ { - 1 }\) respectively. Initially, the position vectors of Albina and Brian are \(( - 60 \mathbf { i } + 160 \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { m }\) and \(( 40 \mathbf { i } - 90 \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { m }\) respectively, relative to a fixed origin in the parkland.
  1. Write down the velocity of Brian relative to Albina.
  2. Find the position vector of Brian relative to Albina \(t\) seconds after they leave their initial positions.
  3. Hence determine whether Albina and Brian will collide if they continue running with the same velocities.
AQA M3 2010 June Q4
15 marks Standard +0.3
4 The unit vectors \(\mathbf { i } , \mathbf { j }\) and \(\mathbf { k }\) are directed east, north and vertically upwards respectively. At time \(t = 0\), the position vectors of two small aeroplanes, \(A\) and \(B\), relative to a fixed origin \(O\) are \(( - 60 \mathbf { i } + 30 \mathbf { k } ) \mathrm { km }\) and \(( - 40 \mathbf { i } + 10 \mathbf { j } - 10 \mathbf { k } ) \mathrm { km }\) respectively. The aeroplane \(A\) is flying with constant velocity \(( 250 \mathbf { i } + 50 \mathbf { j } - 100 \mathbf { k } ) \mathrm { km } \mathrm { h } ^ { - 1 }\) and the aeroplane \(B\) is flying with constant velocity \(( 200 \mathbf { i } + 25 \mathbf { j } + 50 \mathbf { k } ) \mathrm { km } \mathrm { h } ^ { - 1 }\).
  1. Write down the position vectors of \(A\) and \(B\) at time \(t\) hours.
  2. Show that the position vector of \(A\) relative to \(B\) at time \(t\) hours is \(( ( - 20 + 50 t ) \mathbf { i } + ( - 10 + 25 t ) \mathbf { j } + ( 40 - 150 t ) \mathbf { k } ) \mathrm { km }\).
  3. Show that \(A\) and \(B\) do not collide.
  4. Find the value of \(t\) when \(A\) and \(B\) are closest together.
    \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}]{01071eb0-2c48-4028-8cd3-6021ce86d7e5-13_2484_1709_223_153}
AQA M3 2011 June Q4
15 marks Standard +0.3
4 The unit vectors \(\mathbf { i } , \mathbf { j }\) and \(\mathbf { k }\) are directed due east, due north and vertically upwards respectively. A helicopter, \(A\), is travelling in the direction of the vector \(- 2 \mathbf { i } + 3 \mathbf { j } + 6 \mathbf { k }\) with constant speed \(140 \mathrm {~km} \mathrm {~h} ^ { - 1 }\). Another helicopter, \(B\), is travelling in the direction of the vector \(2 \mathbf { i } - \mathbf { j } + 2 \mathbf { k }\) with constant speed \(60 \mathrm {~km} \mathrm {~h} ^ { - 1 }\).
  1. Find the velocity of \(A\) relative to \(B\).
  2. Initially, the position vectors of \(A\) and \(B\) are \(( 4 \mathbf { i } - 2 \mathbf { j } + 3 \mathbf { k } ) \mathrm { km }\) and \(( - 3 \mathbf { i } + 6 \mathbf { j } + 3 \mathbf { k } ) \mathrm { km }\) respectively, relative to a fixed origin. Write down the position vector of \(A\) relative to \(B , t\) hours after they leave their initial positions.
  3. Find the distance between \(A\) and \(B\) when they are closest together.
    \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}]{0590950d-145c-4ae2-bc3c-f61a9433d158-10_2486_1714_221_153}
    \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}]{0590950d-145c-4ae2-bc3c-f61a9433d158-11_2486_1714_221_153}
AQA M3 2012 June Q6
14 marks Standard +0.3
6 At noon, two ships, \(A\) and \(B\), are a distance of 12 km apart, with \(B\) on a bearing of \(065 ^ { \circ }\) from \(A\). The ship \(B\) travels due north at a constant speed of \(10 \mathrm {~km} \mathrm {~h} ^ { - 1 }\). The ship \(A\) travels at a constant speed of \(18 \mathrm {~km} \mathrm {~h} ^ { - 1 }\). \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{a90a2de3-5cc0-4e87-b29a-2562f86eee17-16_492_585_445_738}
  1. Find the direction in which \(A\) should travel in order to intercept \(B\). Give your answer as a bearing.
  2. In fact, the ship \(A\) actually travels on a bearing of \(065 ^ { \circ }\).
    1. Find the distance between the ships when they are closest together.
    2. Find the time when the ships are closest together.
AQA M3 2012 June Q7
15 marks Challenging +1.2
7 Two smooth spheres, \(A\) and \(B\), have equal radii and masses \(2 m \mathrm {~kg}\) and \(m \mathrm {~kg}\) respectively. The spheres are moving on a smooth horizontal plane. The sphere \(A\) has velocity \(( 3 \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { m } \mathrm { s } ^ { - 1 }\) when it collides with the sphere \(B\), which has velocity \(( 2 \mathbf { i } - 5 \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { m } \mathrm { s } ^ { - 1 }\). Immediately after the collision, the velocity of the sphere \(B\) is \(( 2 \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { m } \mathrm { s } ^ { - 1 }\).
  1. Find the velocity of \(A\) immediately after the collision.
  2. Show that the impulse exerted on \(B\) in the collision is \(( 6 m \mathbf { j } )\) Ns.
  3. Find the coefficient of restitution between the two spheres.
  4. After the collision, each sphere moves in a straight line with constant speed. Given that the radius of each sphere is 0.05 m , find the time taken, from the collision, until the centres of the spheres are 1.10 m apart.
AQA M3 2013 June Q6
12 marks Standard +0.3
6 Two smooth spheres, \(A\) and \(B\), have equal radii and masses 4 kg and 2 kg respectively. The sphere \(A\) is moving with velocity \(( 4 \mathbf { i } - 2 \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { ms } ^ { - 1 }\) and the sphere \(B\) is moving with velocity \(( - 2 \mathbf { i } - 3 \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { m } \mathrm { s } ^ { - 1 }\) on the same smooth horizontal surface. The spheres collide when their line of centres is parallel to unit vector \(\mathbf { i }\). The direction of motion of \(B\) is changed through \(90 ^ { \circ }\) by the collision, as shown in the diagram. \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{3a1726d9-1b0c-41de-8b43-56019e18aac1-14_332_1184_566_543}
  1. Show that the velocity of \(B\) immediately after the collision is \(\left( \frac { 9 } { 2 } \mathbf { i } - 3 \mathbf { j } \right) \mathrm { m } \mathrm { s } ^ { - 1 }\).
  2. Find the coefficient of restitution between the spheres.
  3. Find the impulse exerted on \(B\) during the collision. State the units of your answer.
AQA M3 2013 June Q7
14 marks Challenging +1.2
7 From an aircraft \(A\), a helicopter \(H\) is observed 20 km away on a bearing of \(120 ^ { \circ }\). The helicopter \(H\) is travelling horizontally with a constant speed \(240 \mathrm {~km} \mathrm {~h} ^ { - 1 }\) on a bearing of \(340 ^ { \circ }\). The aircraft \(A\) is travelling with constant speed \(v _ { A } \mathrm {~km} \mathrm {~h} ^ { - 1 }\) in a straight line and at the same altitude as \(H\). \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{3a1726d9-1b0c-41de-8b43-56019e18aac1-18_774_801_504_607}
  1. Given that \(v _ { A } = 200\) :
    1. find a bearing, to one decimal place, on which \(A\) could travel in order to intercept \(H\);
    2. find the time, in minutes, that it would take \(A\) to intercept \(H\) on this bearing.
  2. Given that \(v _ { A } = 150\), find the bearing on which \(A\) should travel in order to approach \(H\) as closely as possible. Give your answer to one decimal place.
    \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}]{3a1726d9-1b0c-41de-8b43-56019e18aac1-20_2253_1691_221_153}
AQA M3 2014 June Q4
14 marks Standard +0.3
4 Two boats, \(A\) and \(B\), are moving on straight courses with constant speeds. At noon, \(A\) and \(B\) have position vectors \(( \mathbf { i } + 2 \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { km }\) and \(( - \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { km }\) respectively relative to a lighthouse. Thirty minutes later, the position vectors of \(A\) and \(B\) are ( \(- \mathbf { i } + 3 \mathbf { j }\) ) km and \(( 2 \mathbf { i } - \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { km }\) respectively relative to the lighthouse.
  1. Find the velocity of \(A\) relative to \(B\) in the form \(( m \mathbf { i } + n \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { km } \mathrm { h } ^ { - 1 }\), where \(m\) and \(n\) are integers.
  2. The position vector of \(A\) relative to \(B\) at time \(t\) hours after noon is \(\mathbf { r } \mathrm { km }\). Show that $$\mathbf { r } = ( 2 - 10 t ) \mathbf { i } + ( 1 + 6 t ) \mathbf { j }$$
  3. Determine the value of \(t\) when \(A\) and \(B\) are closest together.
  4. Find the shortest distance between \(A\) and \(B\).
Edexcel M4 2002 June Q2
10 marks Challenging +1.2
2. Ship \(A\) is steaming on a bearing of \(060 ^ { \circ }\) at \(30 \mathrm {~km} \mathrm {~h} ^ { - 1 }\) and at 9 a.m. it is 20 km due west of a second ship \(B\). Ship \(B\) steams in a straight line.
  1. Find the least speed of \(B\) if it is to intercept \(A\). Given that the speed of \(B\) is \(24 \mathrm {~km} \mathrm {~h} ^ { - 1 }\),
  2. find the earliest time at which it can intercept \(A\).
Edexcel M4 2002 June Q5
14 marks Challenging +1.2
5. At time \(t = 0\) particles \(P\) and \(Q\) start simultaneously from points which have position vectors \(( \mathbf { i } - 2 \mathbf { j } + 3 \mathbf { k } ) \mathrm { m }\) and \(( - \mathbf { i } + 2 \mathbf { j } - \mathbf { k } ) \mathrm { m }\) respectively, relative to a fixed origin \(O\). The velocities of \(P\) and \(Q\) are \(( \mathbf { i } + 2 \mathbf { j } - \mathbf { k } ) \mathrm { m } \mathrm { s } ^ { - 1 }\) and \(( 2 \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { k } ) \mathrm { m } \mathrm { s } ^ { - 1 }\) respectively.
  1. Show that \(P\) and \(Q\) collide and find the position vector of the point at which they collide. A third particle \(R\) moves in such a way that its velocity relative to \(P\) is parallel to the vector ( \(- 5 \mathbf { i } + 4 \mathbf { j } - \mathbf { k }\) ) and its velocity relative to \(Q\) is parallel to the vector \(( - 2 \mathbf { i } + 2 \mathbf { j } - \mathbf { k } )\). Given that all three particles collide simultaneously, find
    1. the velocity of \(R\),
    2. the position vector of \(R\) at time \(t = 0\).
Edexcel M4 2003 June Q2
8 marks Standard +0.3
2. \begin{figure}[h]
\captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 1} \includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{47e1d96b-4582-4324-a946-66989a2c66fc-2_455_1084_1112_487}
\end{figure} A man, who rows at a speed \(v\) through still water, rows across a river which flows at a speed \(u\). The man sets off from the point \(A\) on one bank and wishes to land at the point \(B\) on the opposite bank, where \(A B\) is perpendicular to both banks, as shown in Fig. 1.
  1. Show that, for this to be possible, \(v > u\). Given that \(v < u\) and that he rows from \(A\) so as to reach a point \(C\), on the opposite bank, which is as close to \(B\) as possible,
  2. find, in terms of \(u\) and \(v\), the ratio of \(B C\) to the width of the river.
    (5)
Edexcel M4 2003 June Q3
9 marks Challenging +1.2
3. A man walks due north at a constant speed \(u\) and the wind seems to him to be blowing from the direction \(30 ^ { \circ }\) east of north. On his return journey, when he is walking at the same speed \(u\) due south, the wind seems to him to be blowing from the direction \(30 ^ { \circ }\) south of east. Assuming that the velocity, \(\mathbf { w }\), of the wind relative to the earth is constant, find
  1. the magnitude of \(\mathbf { w }\), in terms of \(u\),
  2. the direction of \(\mathbf { w }\).
Edexcel M4 2004 June Q1
6 marks Standard +0.3
  1. \hspace{0pt} [In this question \(\mathbf { i }\) and \(\mathbf { j }\) are horizontal unit vectors due east and due north respectively.]
An aeroplane makes a journey from a point \(P\) to a point \(Q\) which is due east of \(P\). The wind velocity is \(w ( \cos \theta \mathbf { i } + \sin \theta \mathbf { j } )\), where \(w\) is a positive constant. The velocity of the aeroplane relative to the wind is \(v ( \cos \phi \mathbf { i } - \sin \phi \mathbf { j } )\), where \(v\) is a constant and \(v > w\). Given that \(\theta\) and \(\phi\) are both acute angles,
  1. show that \(v \sin \phi = w \sin \theta\),
  2. find, in terms of \(v , w\) and \(\theta\), the speed of the aeroplane relative to the ground.
Edexcel M4 2004 June Q3
11 marks Standard +0.8
3. At noon, two boats \(A\) and \(B\) are 6 km apart with \(A\) due east of \(B\). Boat \(B\) is moving due north at a constant speed of \(13 \mathrm {~km} \mathrm {~h} ^ { - 1 }\). Boat \(A\) is moving with constant speed \(12 \mathrm {~km} \mathrm {~h} ^ { - 1 }\) and sets a course so as to pass as close as possible to boat \(B\). Find
  1. the direction of motion of \(A\), giving your answer as a bearing,
  2. the time when the boats are closest,
  3. the shortest distance between the boats.
Edexcel M4 2011 June Q3
11 marks Standard +0.8
  1. \hspace{0pt} [In this question the unit vectors \(\mathbf { i }\) and \(\mathbf { j }\) are due east and due north respectively.]
A coastguard patrol boat \(C\) is moving with constant velocity \(( 8 \mathbf { i } + u \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { km } \mathrm { h } ^ { - 1 }\). Another ship \(S\) is moving with constant velocity \(( 12 \mathbf { i } + 16 \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { km } \mathrm { h } ^ { - 1 }\).
  1. Find, in terms of \(u\), the velocity of \(C\) relative to \(S\). At noon, \(S\) is 10 km due west of \(C\).
    If \(C\) is to intercept \(S\),
    1. find the value of \(u\).
    2. Using this value of \(u\), find the time at which \(C\) would intercept \(S\). If instead, at noon, \(C\) is moving with velocity \(( 8 \mathbf { i } + 8 \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { km } \mathrm { h } ^ { - 1 }\) and continues at this constant velocity,
  2. find the distance of closest approach of \(C\) to \(S\).
Edexcel M4 2011 June Q4
7 marks Challenging +1.2
  1. A hiker walking due east at a steady speed of \(5 \mathrm {~km} \mathrm {~h} ^ { - 1 }\) notices that the wind appears to come from a direction with bearing 050. At the same time, another hiker moving on a bearing of 320, and also walking at \(5 \mathrm {~km} \mathrm {~h} ^ { - 1 }\), notices that the wind appears to come from due north.
Find
  1. the direction from which the wind is blowing,
  2. the wind speed.
Edexcel M4 2012 June Q2
13 marks Standard +0.8
  1. A \(\operatorname { ship } A\) is moving at a constant speed of \(8 \mathrm {~km} \mathrm {~h} \mathrm {~h} ^ { - 1 }\) on a bearing of \(150 ^ { \circ }\). At noon a second ship \(B\) is 6 km from \(A\), on a bearing of \(210 ^ { \circ }\). Ship \(B\) is moving due east at a constant speed. At a later time, \(B\) is \(2 \sqrt { 3 } \mathrm {~km}\) due south of \(A\).
Find
  1. the time at which \(B\) will be due east of \(A\),
  2. the distance between the ships at that time.
Edexcel M4 2012 June Q4
10 marks Challenging +1.2
4. A rescue boat, whose maximum speed is \(20 \mathrm {~km} \mathrm {~h} ^ { - 1 }\), receives a signal which indicates that a yacht is in distress near a fixed point \(P\). The rescue boat is 15 km south-west of \(P\). There is a constant current of \(5 \mathrm {~km} \mathrm {~h} ^ { - 1 }\) flowing uniformly from west to east. The rescue boat sets the course needed to get to \(P\) as quickly as possible. Find
  1. the course the rescue boat sets,
  2. the time, to the nearest minute, to get to \(P\). When the rescue boat arrives at \(P\), the yacht is just visible 4 km due north of \(P\) and is drifting with the current. Find
  3. the course that the rescue boat should set to get to the yacht as quickly as possible,
  4. the time taken by the rescue boat to reach the yacht from \(P\).