1.10c Magnitude and direction: of vectors

500 questions

Sort by: Default | Easiest first | Hardest first
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 \(B\).
AQA M3 2015 June Q3
4 marks Moderate -0.3
3 A disc of mass 0.5 kg is moving with speed \(3 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) on a smooth horizontal surface when it receives a horizontal impulse in a direction perpendicular to its direction of motion. Immediately after the impulse, the disc has speed \(5 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\).
  1. Find the magnitude of the impulse received by the disc.
  2. Before the impulse, the disc is moving parallel to a smooth vertical wall, as shown in the diagram. \section*{11/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/ Wall} $$\overbrace { 3 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 } } ^ { \underset { < } { \bigcirc } } \text { Disc }$$ After the impulse, the disc hits the wall and rebounds with speed \(3 \sqrt { 2 } \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\).
    Find the coefficient of restitution between the disc and the wall.
    [0pt] [4 marks]
OCR M3 Q4
11 marks Standard +0.8
4 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{af1f9f1b-f6c0-4044-9864-5b9ce309d3fa-02_283_711_1754_722} Two uniform smooth spheres \(A\) and \(B\), of equal radius, have masses 5 kg and 2 kg respectively. They are moving on a horizontal surface when they collide. Immediately before the collision, \(A\) has speed \(4 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) and is moving perpendicular to the line of centres, and \(B\) has speed \(4 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) along the line of centres (see diagram). The coefficient of restitution is 0.75 . Find the speed and direction of motion of each sphere immediately after the collision.
Edexcel M4 2008 June Q1
5 marks Standard +0.3
  1. \hspace{0pt} [In this question \(\mathbf { i }\) and \(\mathbf { j }\) are unit vectors due east and due north respectively.]
A ship \(P\) is moving with velocity ( \(5 \mathbf { i } - 4 \mathbf { j }\) ) \(\mathrm { km } \mathrm { h } ^ { - 1 }\) and a ship \(Q\) is moving with velocity \(( 3 \mathbf { i } + 7 \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { km } \mathrm { h } ^ { - 1 }\). Find the direction that ship \(Q\) appears to be moving in, to an observer on ship \(P\), giving your answer as a bearing.
Edexcel M4 2008 June Q2
5 marks Standard +0.3
2. Two small smooth spheres \(A\) and \(B\) have equal radii. The mass of \(A\) is \(2 m \mathrm {~kg}\) and the mass of \(B\) is \(m \mathrm {~kg}\). The spheres are moving on a smooth horizontal plane and they collide. Immediately before the collision the velocity of \(A\) is \(( 2 \mathbf { i } - 2 \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { m } \mathrm { s } ^ { - 1 }\) and the velocity of \(B\) is \(( - 3 \mathbf { i } - \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { m } \mathrm { s } ^ { - 1 }\). Immediately after the collision the velocity of \(A\) is \(( \mathbf { i } - 3 \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { m } \mathrm { s } ^ { - 1 }\). Find the speed of \(B\) immediately after the collision.
(5)
Edexcel M4 2009 June Q3
12 marks Challenging +1.2
  1. At noon a motorboat \(P\) is 2 km north-west of another motorboat \(Q\). The motorboat \(P\) is moving due south at \(20 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\). The motorboat \(Q\) is pursuing motorboat \(P\) at a speed of \(12 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) and sets a course in order to get as close to motorboat \(P\) as possible.
    1. Find the course set by \(Q\), giving your answer as a bearing to the nearest degree.
    2. Find the shortest distance between \(P\) and \(Q\).
    3. Find the distance travelled by \(Q\) from its position at noon to the point of closest approach.
    \section*{June 2009}
Edexcel M4 2009 June Q5
13 marks Standard +0.3
5. Two small smooth spheres \(A\) and \(B\), of mass 2 kg and 1 kg respectively, are moving on a smooth horizontal plane when they collide. Immediately before the collision the velocity of \(A\) is \(( \mathbf { i } + 2 \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { m } \mathrm { s } ^ { - 1 }\) and the velocity of \(B\) is \(- 2 \mathbf { i } \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\). Immediately after the collision the velocity of \(A\) is \(\mathbf { j } \mathrm { m } \mathrm { s } ^ { - 1 }\).
  1. Show that the velocity of \(B\) immediately after the collision is \(2 \mathbf { j } \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\).
  2. Find the impulse of \(B\) on \(A\) in the collision, giving your answer as a vector, and hence show that the line of centres is parallel to \(\mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j }\).
  3. Find the coefficient of restitution between \(A\) and \(B\).
    \section*{June 2009}
Edexcel M4 2010 June Q1
7 marks Challenging +1.2
  1. \hspace{0pt} [In this question \(\mathbf { i }\) and \(\mathbf { j }\) are unit vectors due east and due north respectively]
A man cycles at a constant speed \(u \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) on level ground and finds that when his velocity is \(u \mathbf { j } \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) the velocity of the wind appears to be \(v ( 3 \mathbf { i } - 4 \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { m } \mathrm { s } ^ { - 1 }\), where \(v\) is a positive constant. When the man cycles with velocity \(\frac { 1 } { 5 } u ( - 3 \mathbf { i } + 4 \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { m } \mathrm { s } ^ { - 1 }\), the velocity of the wind appears to be \(w \mathbf { i } \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\), where \(w\) is a positive constant. Find, in terms of \(u\), the true velocity of the wind.
Edexcel M4 2010 June Q2
14 marks Standard +0.3
2. Two smooth uniform spheres \(S\) and \(T\) have equal radii. The mass of \(S\) is 0.3 kg and the mass of \(T\) is 0.6 kg . The spheres are moving on a smooth horizontal plane and collide obliquely. Immediately before the collision the velocity of \(S\) is \(\mathbf { u } _ { 1 } \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) and the velocity of \(T\) is \(\mathbf { u } _ { 2 } \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\). The coefficient of restitution between the spheres is 0.5 . Immediately after the collision the velocity of \(S\) is \(( - \mathbf { i } + 2 \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { m } \mathrm { s } ^ { - 1 }\) and the velocity of \(T\) is \(( \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { m } \mathrm { s } ^ { - 1 }\). Given that when the spheres collide the line joining their centres is parallel to \(\mathbf { i }\),
  1. find
    1. \(\mathbf { u } _ { 1 }\),
    2. \(\mathbf { u } _ { 2 }\). After the collision, \(T\) goes on to collide with a smooth vertical wall which is parallel to \(\mathbf { j }\). Given that the coefficient of restitution between \(T\) and the wall is also 0.5 , find
  2. the angle through which the direction of motion of \(T\) is deflected as a result of the collision with the wall,
  3. the loss in kinetic energy of \(T\) caused by the collision with the wall.
Edexcel M4 2010 June Q3
10 marks Standard +0.8
  1. At 12 noon, \(\operatorname { ship } A\) is 8 km due west of \(\operatorname { ship } B\). Ship \(A\) is moving due north at a constant speed of \(10 \mathrm {~km} \mathrm {~h} ^ { - 1 }\). Ship \(B\) is moving at a constant speed of \(6 \mathrm {~km} \mathrm {~h} ^ { - 1 }\) on a bearing so that it passes as close to \(A\) as possible.
    1. Find the bearing on which ship \(B\) moves.
    2. Find the shortest distance between the two ships.
    3. Find the time when the two ships are closest.
Edexcel M4 2013 June Q1
5 marks Moderate -0.5
  1. \hspace{0pt} [In this question \(\mathbf { i }\) and \(\mathbf { j }\) are horizontal unit vectors due east and due north respectively.]
Boat \(A\) is moving with velocity ( \(3 \mathbf { i } + 4 \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { km } \mathrm { h } ^ { - 1 }\) and boat \(B\) is moving with velocity \(( 6 \mathbf { i } - 5 \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { km } \mathrm { h } ^ { - 1 }\). Find
  1. the magnitude of the velocity of \(A\) relative to \(B\),
  2. the direction of the velocity of \(A\) relative to \(B\), giving your answer as a bearing.
Edexcel M4 2015 June Q2
6 marks Challenging +1.2
  1. When a woman walks due North at a constant speed of \(4 \mathrm {~km} \mathrm {~h} ^ { - 1 }\), the wind appears to be blowing from due East. When she runs due South at a constant speed of \(8 \mathrm {~km} \mathrm {~h} ^ { - 1 }\), the speed of the wind appears to be \(20 \mathrm {~km} \mathrm {~h} ^ { - 1 }\).
Assuming that the velocity of the wind relative to the earth is constant, find
  1. the speed of the wind,
  2. the direction from which the wind is blowing.
Edexcel M4 2017 June Q5
9 marks Challenging +1.2
5. A cyclist riding due north at a steady speed of \(12 \mathrm {~km} \mathrm {~h} ^ { - 1 }\) notices that the wind appears to come from the north-west. At the same time, another cyclist, moving on a bearing of \(120 ^ { \circ }\) and also riding at a steady speed of \(12 \mathrm {~km} \mathrm {~h} ^ { - 1 }\), notices that the wind appears to come from due south. The velocity of the wind is assumed to be constant. Find
  1. the wind speed,
  2. the direction from which the wind is blowing, giving your answer as a bearing.
Edexcel M4 2018 June Q3
7 marks Challenging +1.2
3. When a man walks due West at a constant speed of \(4 \mathrm {~km} \mathrm {~h} ^ { - 1 }\), the wind appears to be blowing from due South. When he runs due North at a constant speed of \(8 \mathrm {~km} \mathrm {~h} ^ { - 1 }\), the speed of the wind appears to be \(5 \mathrm {~km} \mathrm {~h} ^ { - 1 }\).
The velocity of the wind relative to the Earth is constant with magnitude \(w \mathrm {~km} \mathrm {~h} ^ { - 1 }\).
Find the two possible values of \(w\).
OCR M4 2013 June Q4
12 marks Standard +0.3
4 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{6e3d5f5e-7ffa-4111-903d-468fb4d20192-2_364_1313_1224_376} An unidentified aircraft \(U\) is flying horizontally with constant velocity \(250 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\) in the direction with bearing \(040 ^ { \circ }\). Two spotter planes \(P\) and \(Q\) are flying horizontally at the same height as \(U\), and at one instant \(P\) is 15000 m due west of \(U\), and \(Q\) is 15000 m due east of \(U\) (see diagram).
  1. Plane \(P\) is flying with constant velocity \(210 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\) in the direction with bearing \(070 ^ { \circ }\).
OCR M4 2014 June Q1
7 marks Challenging +1.2
1 Alan is running in a straight line on a bearing of \(090 ^ { \circ }\) at a constant speed of \(4 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\). Ben sees Alan when they are 50 m apart and Alan is on a bearing of \(060 ^ { \circ }\) from Ben. Ben sets off immediately to intercept Alan by running at a constant speed of \(6 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\).
  1. Calculate the bearing on which Ben should run to intercept Alan.
  2. Calculate the magnitude of the velocity of Ben relative to Alan and find the time it takes, from the moment Ben sees Alan, for Ben to intercept Alan.
OCR M4 2015 June Q3
11 marks Standard +0.8
3 Two planes, \(A\) and \(B\), flying at the same altitude, are participating in an air show. Initially the planes are 400 m apart and plane \(B\) is on a bearing of \(130 ^ { \circ }\) from plane \(A\). Plane \(A\) is moving due south with a constant speed of \(75 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\). Plane \(B\) is moving at a constant speed of \(40 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\) and has set a course to get as close as possible to \(A\).
  1. Find the bearing of the course set by \(B\) and the shortest distance between the two planes in the subsequent motion.
  2. Find the total distance travelled by \(A\) and \(B\) from the instant when they are initially 400 m apart to the point of their closest approach.
OCR M4 2017 June Q2
9 marks Challenging +1.2
2 A ship \(S\) is travelling with constant speed \(5 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\) on a course with bearing \(325 ^ { \circ }\). A second ship \(T\) observes \(S\) when \(S\) is 9500 m from \(T\) on a bearing of \(060 ^ { \circ }\) from \(T\). Ship \(T\) sets off in pursuit, travelling with constant speed \(8.5 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\) in a straight line.
  1. Find the bearing of the course which \(T\) should take in order to intercept \(S\).
  2. Find the distance travelled by \(S\) from the moment that \(T\) sets off in pursuit until the point of interception.
Edexcel M5 2005 June Q1
6 marks Standard +0.3
  1. Two constant forces \(\mathbf { F } _ { 1 }\) and \(\mathbf { F } _ { 2 }\) are the only forces acting on a particle. \(\mathbf { F } _ { 1 }\) has magnitude 9 N and acts in the direction of \(2 \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } + 2 \mathbf { k } . \mathbf { F } _ { 2 }\) has magnitude 18 N and acts in the direction of \(\mathbf { i } + 8 \mathbf { j } - 4 \mathbf { k }\).
Find the total work done by the two forces in moving the particle from the point with position vector \(( \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } + \mathbf { k } ) \mathrm { m }\) to the point with position vector \(( 3 \mathbf { i } + 2 \mathbf { j } - \mathbf { k } ) \mathrm { m }\).
(Total 6 marks)
Edexcel M5 2005 June Q3
9 marks Standard +0.3
3. A system of forces acting on a rigid body consists of two forces \(\mathbf { F } _ { 1 }\) and \(\mathbf { F } _ { 2 }\) acting at a point \(A\) of the body, together with a couple of moment \(\mathbf { G } . \mathbf { F } _ { 1 } = ( \mathbf { i } + 2 \mathbf { j } - \mathbf { k } ) \mathrm { N }\) and \(\mathbf { F } _ { 2 } = ( - 2 \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } + 3 \mathbf { k } ) N\). The position vector of the point \(A\) is \(( \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } + \mathbf { k } ) \mathrm { m }\) and \(\mathbf { G } = ( 7 \mathbf { i } - 3 \mathbf { j } + 8 \mathbf { k } ) \mathrm { Nm }\). Given that the system is equivalent to a single force \(\mathbf { R }\),
  1. find \(\mathbf { R }\),
  2. find a vector equation for the line of action of \(\mathbf { R }\).
    (Total 9 marks) \section*{4.} \section*{Figure 1}
    \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}]{43ce237f-c8e4-428a-b8cd-04673e62abb9-3_896_515_276_772}
    A thin uniform rod \(P Q\) has mass \(m\) and length \(3 a\). A thin uniform circular disc, of mass \(m\) and radius \(a\), is attached to the rod at \(Q\) in such a way that the rod and the diameter \(Q R\) of the disc are in a straight line with \(P R = 5 a\). The rod together with the disc form a composite body, as shown in Figure 1. The body is free to rotate about a fixed smooth horizontal axis \(L\) through \(P\), perpendicular to \(P Q\) and in the plane of the disc.
Edexcel M5 2007 June Q1
4 marks Standard +0.3
  1. A bead of mass 0.5 kg is threaded on a smooth straight wire. The only forces acting on the bead are a constant force ( \(4 \mathbf { i } + 7 \mathbf { j } + 2 \mathbf { k }\) ) N and the normal reaction of the wire. The bead starts from rest at the point \(A\) with position vector \(( \mathbf { i } + 2 \mathbf { j } + 3 \mathbf { k } ) \mathrm { m }\) and moves to the point \(B\) with position vector \(( 4 \mathbf { i } + 3 \mathbf { j } - 2 \mathbf { k } ) \mathrm { m }\).
Find the speed of the bead when it reaches \(B\).
(4)
Edexcel M5 2007 June Q5
9 marks Standard +0.8
5. Two forces \(\mathbf { F } _ { 1 }\) and \(\mathbf { F } _ { 2 }\) act on a rigid body, where \(\mathbf { F } _ { 1 } = ( 3 \mathbf { i } + 4 \mathbf { j } - 6 \mathbf { k } ) \mathrm { N }\) and \(\mathbf { F } _ { 2 } = ( 5 \mathbf { i } - \mathbf { j } + 2 \mathbf { k } ) \mathrm { N }\).
The force \(\mathbf { F } _ { 1 }\) acts at the point with position vector \(( \mathbf { i } - 2 \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { m }\), and the force \(\mathbf { F } _ { 2 }\) acts at the point with position vector ( \(3 \mathbf { i } - \mathbf { k }\) ) m. The two forces are equivalent to a single force \(\mathbf { F }\) acting at the point with position vector \(( \mathbf { i } - \mathbf { k } ) \mathrm { m }\), together with a couple \(\mathbf { G }\).
  1. Find \(\mathbf { F }\).
  2. Find the magnitude of \(\mathbf { G }\).
    (8)
Edexcel M5 2008 June Q1
6 marks Standard +0.8
  1. \hspace{0pt} [In this question \(\mathbf { i }\) and \(\mathbf { j }\) are horizontal unit vectors.]
A small bead of mass 0.5 kg is threaded on a smooth horizontal wire. The bead is initially at rest at the point with position vector \(( \mathbf { i } - 6 \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { m }\). A constant horizontal force \(\mathbf { P } \mathrm { N }\) then acts on the bead causing it to move along the wire. The bead passes through the point with position vector ( \(7 \mathbf { i } - 14 \mathbf { j }\) ) m with speed \(2 \sqrt { 7 } \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\). Given that \(\mathbf { P }\) is parallel to ( \(6 \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j }\) ), find \(\mathbf { P }\).
(6)
Edexcel M5 2008 June Q3
11 marks Standard +0.3
3. A system of forces consists of two forces \(\mathbf { F } _ { 1 }\) and \(\mathbf { F } _ { 2 }\) acting on a rigid body. \(\mathbf { F } _ { 1 } = ( - 2 \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } - \mathbf { k } ) \mathrm { N }\) and acts at the point with position vector \(\mathbf { r } _ { 1 } = ( \mathbf { i } - \mathbf { j } + \mathbf { k } ) \mathrm { m }\). \(\mathbf { F } _ { 2 } = ( 3 \mathbf { i } - \mathbf { j } + 2 \mathbf { k } ) \mathrm { N }\) and acts at the point with position vector \(\mathbf { r } _ { 2 } = ( 4 \mathbf { i } - \mathbf { j } - 2 \mathbf { k } ) \mathrm { m }\).
Given that the system is equivalent to a single force \(\mathbf { R } \mathrm { N }\), acting at the point with position vector \(( 5 \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } - \mathbf { k } ) \mathrm { m }\), together with a couple \(\mathbf { G N m }\), find
  1. \(\mathbf { R }\),
  2. the magnitude of \(\mathbf { G }\).
    (9)