1.10c Magnitude and direction: of vectors

500 questions

Sort by: Default | Easiest first | Hardest first
Edexcel M1 2018 October Q5
9 marks Moderate -0.8
5.
[In this question the unit vectors \(\mathbf { i }\) and \(\mathbf { j }\) are horizontal vectors due east and due north respectively and position vectors are given relative to a fixed origin.]
Edexcel M1 2018 October Q6
11 marks Moderate -0.3
6. The point \(A\) on a horizontal playground has position vector \(( 3 \mathbf { i } - 2 \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { m }\). At time \(t = 0\), a girl kicks a ball from \(A\). The ball moves horizontally along the playground with constant velocity \(( 4 \mathbf { i } + 5 \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { m } \mathrm { s } ^ { - 1 }\). Modelling the ball as a particle, find
  1. the speed of the ball,
  2. the position vector of the ball at time \(t\) seconds. The point \(B\) on the playground has position vector \(( \mathbf { i } + 6 \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { m }\). At time \(t = T\) seconds, the ball is due east of \(B\).
  3. Find the value of \(T\). A boy is running due east with constant speed \(\nu \mathrm { ms } ^ { - 1 }\). At the instant when the girl kicks the ball from \(A\), the boy is at \(B\). Given that the boy intercepts the ball,
  4. find the value of \(v\). \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{5f2d38d9-b719-4205-8cb0-caa959afc46f-23_68_47_2617_1886}
Edexcel M1 2021 October Q4
8 marks Moderate -0.8
  1. The position vector, \(\mathbf { r }\) metres, of a particle \(P\) at time \(t\) seconds, relative to a fixed origin \(O\), is given by
$$\mathbf { r } = ( t - 3 ) \mathbf { i } + ( 1 - 2 t ) \mathbf { j }$$
  1. Find, to the nearest degree, the size of the angle between \(\mathbf { r }\) and the vector \(\mathbf { j }\), when \(t = 2\)
  2. Find the values of \(t\) for which the distance of \(P\) from \(O\) is 2.5 m .
Edexcel M1 2001 January Q4
9 marks Moderate -0.8
4. A particle \(P\) moves in a straight line with constant velocity. Initially \(P\) is at the point \(A\) with position vector \(( 2 \mathbf { i } - \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { m }\) relative to a fixed origin \(O\), and 2 s later it is at the point \(B\) with position vector \(( 6 \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { m }\).
  1. Find the velocity of \(P\).
  2. Find, in degrees to one decimal place, the size of the angle between the direction of motion of \(P\) and the vector \(\mathbf { i }\).
    (2 marks)
    Three seconds after it passes \(B\) the particle \(P\) reaches the point \(C\).
  3. Find, in m to one decimal place, the distance \(O C\).
Edexcel M1 2008 January Q6
13 marks Standard +0.3
6. [In this question, the unit vectors \(\mathbf { i }\) and \(\mathbf { j }\) are due east and due north respectively.] A particle \(P\) is moving with constant velocity \(( - 5 \mathbf { i } + 8 \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { m } \mathrm { s } ^ { - 1 }\). Find
  1. the speed of \(P\),
  2. the direction of motion of \(P\), giving your answer as a bearing. At time \(t = 0 , P\) is at the point \(A\) with position vector ( \(7 \mathbf { i } - 10 \mathbf { j }\) ) m relative to a fixed origin \(O\). When \(t = 3 \mathrm {~s}\), the velocity of \(P\) changes and it moves with velocity \(( u \mathbf { i } + v \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { m } \mathrm { s } ^ { - 1 }\), where \(u\) and \(v\) are constants. After a further 4 s , it passes through \(O\) and continues to move with velocity ( \(u \mathbf { i } + v \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { m } \mathrm { s } ^ { - 1 }\).
  3. Find the values of \(u\) and \(v\).
  4. Find the total time taken for \(P\) to move from \(A\) to a position which is due south of A.
Edexcel M1 2009 January Q6
14 marks Standard +0.3
6. Two forces, \(( 4 \mathbf { i } - 5 \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { N }\) and \(( p \mathbf { i } + q \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { N }\), act on a particle \(P\) of mass \(m \mathrm {~kg}\). The resultant of the two forces is \(\mathbf { R }\). Given that \(\mathbf { R }\) acts in a direction which is parallel to the vector ( \(\mathbf { i } - 2 \mathbf { j }\) ),
  1. find the angle between \(\mathbf { R }\) and the vector \(\mathbf { j }\),
  2. show that \(2 p + q + 3 = 0\). Given also that \(q = 1\) and that \(P\) moves with an acceleration of magnitude \(8 \sqrt { } 5 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 2 }\), (c) find the value of \(m\).
OCR MEI M1 2010 January Q3
8 marks Moderate -0.8
3 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 2012 January Q5
8 marks Moderate -0.8
5 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 2005 June Q3
6 marks Moderate -0.8
3 A particle rests on a smooth, horizontal plane. Horizontal unit vectors \(\mathbf { i }\) and \(\mathbf { j }\) lie in this plane. The particle is in equilibrium under the action of the three forces \(( - 3 \mathbf { i } + 4 \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { N }\) and \(( 21 \mathbf { i } - 7 \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { N }\) and \(\mathbf { R N }\).
  1. Write down an expression for \(\mathbf { R }\) in terms of \(\mathbf { i }\) and \(\mathbf { j }\).
  2. Find the magnitude of \(\mathbf { R }\) and the angle between \(\mathbf { R }\) and the \(\mathbf { i }\) direction.
OCR MEI M1 2006 June Q2
8 marks Moderate -0.8
2 Force \(\mathbf { F } _ { 1 }\) is \(\binom { - 6 } { 13 } \mathrm {~N}\) and force \(\mathbf { F } _ { 2 }\) is \(\binom { - 3 } { 5 } \mathrm {~N}\), where \(\binom { 1 } { 0 }\) and \(\binom { 0 } { 1 }\) are vectors east and north respectively.
  1. Calculate the magnitude of \(\mathbf { F } _ { 1 }\), correct to three significant figures.
  2. Calculate the direction of the force \(\mathbf { F } _ { 1 } - \mathbf { F } _ { 2 }\) as a bearing. Force \(\mathbf { F } _ { 2 }\) is the resultant of all the forces acting on an object of mass 5 kg .
  3. Calculate the acceleration of the object and the change in its velocity after 10 seconds.
OCR MEI M1 2008 June Q2
6 marks Easy -1.2
2 A particle has a position vector \(\mathbf { r }\), where \(\mathbf { r } = 4 \mathbf { i } - 5 \mathbf { j }\) and \(\mathbf { i }\) and \(\mathbf { j }\) are unit vectors in the directions east and north respectively.
  1. Sketch \(\mathbf { r }\) on a diagram showing \(\mathbf { i }\) and \(\mathbf { j }\) and the origin O .
  2. Calculate the magnitude of \(\mathbf { r }\) and its direction as a bearing.
  3. Write down the vector that has the same direction as \(\mathbf { r }\) and three times its magnitude.
OCR MEI M1 2014 June Q6
18 marks Moderate -0.5
6 In this question the origin is a point on the ground. The directions of the unit vectors \(\left( \begin{array} { l } 1 \\ 0 \\ 0 \end{array} \right) , \left( \begin{array} { l } 0 \\ 1 \\ 0 \end{array} \right)\) and \(\left( \begin{array} { l } 0 \\ 0 \\ 1 \end{array} \right)\) are \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{63a2dc41-5e8b-4275-8653-ece5067c4306-5_398_689_434_689} Alesha does a sky-dive on a day when there is no wind. The dive starts when she steps out of a moving helicopter. The dive ends when she lands gently on the ground.
  • During the dive Alesha can reduce the magnitude of her acceleration in the vertical direction by spreading her arms and increasing air resistance.
  • During the dive she can use a power unit strapped to her back to give herself an acceleration in a horizontal direction.
  • Alesha's mass, including her equipment, is 100 kg .
  • Initially, her position vector is \(\left( \begin{array} { r } - 75 \\ 90 \\ 750 \end{array} \right) \mathrm { m }\) and her velocity is \(\left( \begin{array} { r } - 5 \\ 0 \\ - 10 \end{array} \right) \mathrm { ms } ^ { - 1 }\).
    1. Calculate Alesha's initial speed, and the initial angle between her motion and the downward vertical.
At a certain time during the dive, forces of \(\left( \begin{array} { r } 0 \\ 0 \\ - 980 \end{array} \right) \mathrm { N } , \left( \begin{array} { r } 0 \\ 0 \\ 880 \end{array} \right) \mathrm { N }\) and \(\left( \begin{array} { r } 50 \\ - 20 \\ 0 \end{array} \right) \mathrm { N }\) are acting on Alesha.
  • Suggest how these forces could arise.
  • Find Alesha's acceleration at this time, giving your answer in vector form, and show that, correct to 3 significant figures, its magnitude is \(1.14 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 2 }\). One suggested model for Alesha's motion is that the forces on her are constant throughout the dive from when she leaves the helicopter until she reaches the ground.
  • Find expressions for her velocity and position vector at time \(t\) seconds after the start of the dive according to this model. Verify that when \(t = 30\) she is at the origin.
  • Explain why consideration of Alesha's landing velocity shows this model to be unrealistic.
  • OCR MEI M1 2015 June Q3
    7 marks Moderate -0.3
    3 The map of a large area of open land is marked in 1 km squares and a point near the middle of the area is defined to be the origin. The vectors \(\binom { 1 } { 0 }\) and \(\binom { 0 } { 1 }\) are in the directions east and north. At time \(t\) hours the position vectors of two hikers, Ashok and Kumar, are given by: $$\begin{array} { l l } \text { Ashok } & \mathbf { r } _ { \mathrm { A } } = \binom { - 2 } { 0 } + \binom { 8 } { 1 } t , \\ \text { Kumar } & \mathbf { r } _ { \mathrm { K } } = \binom { 7 t } { 10 - 4 t } . \end{array}$$
    1. Prove that the two hikers meet and give the coordinates of the point where this happens.
    2. Compare the speeds of the two hikers.
    OCR MEI M1 Q1
    6 marks Moderate -0.8
    1 Fig. 2 shows two forces acting at A . The figure also shows the perpendicular unit vectors \(\mathbf { i }\) and \(\mathbf { j }\) which are respectively horizontal and vertically upwards. The resultant of the two forces is \(\mathbf { F } \mathbf { N }\). \begin{figure}[h]
    \includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{94f23528-931c-47b6-89aa-4b6edd25cc30-1_264_918_584_663} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Fig. 1}
    \end{figure}
    1. Find \(\mathbf { F }\) in terms of \(\mathbf { i }\) and \(\mathbf { j }\), giving your answer correct to three significant figures.
    2. Calculate the magnitude of \(\mathbf { F }\) and the angle that \(\mathbf { F }\) makes with the upward vertical.
    OCR MEI M1 Q2
    7 marks Moderate -0.8
    2 Force \(\mathbf { F }\) is \(\left( \begin{array} { l } 4 \\ 1 \\ 2 \end{array} \right) \mathrm { N }\) and force \(\mathbf { G }\) is \(\left( \begin{array} { r } - 6 \\ 2 \\ 4 \end{array} \right) \mathrm { N }\).
    1. Find the resultant of \(\mathbf { F }\) and \(\mathbf { G }\) and calculate its magnitude.
    2. Forces \(\mathbf { F }\), \(2 \mathbf { G }\) and \(\mathbf { H }\) act on a particle which is in equilibrium. Find \(\mathbf { H }\).
    OCR MEI M1 Q4
    7 marks Moderate -0.8
    4 Fig. 4 shows forces of magnitudes 20 N and 16 N inclined at \(60 ^ { \circ }\). \begin{figure}[h]
    \includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{94f23528-931c-47b6-89aa-4b6edd25cc30-3_193_351_261_895} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Fig. 4}
    \end{figure}
    1. Calculate the component of the resultant of these two forces in the direction of the 20 N force.
    2. Calculate the magnitude of the resultant of these two forces. These are the only forces acting on a particle of mass 2 kg .
    3. Find the magnitude of the acceleration of the particle and the angle the acceleration makes with the 20 N force.
    OCR MEI M1 Q5
    6 marks Moderate -0.8
    5 A particle is in equilibrium when acted on by the forces \(\left( \begin{array} { r } x \\ - 7 \\ z \end{array} \right) , \left( \begin{array} { r } 4 \\ y \\ - 5 \end{array} \right)\) and \(\left( \begin{array} { r } 5 \\ 4 \\ - 7 \end{array} \right)\), where the units are newtons.
    1. Find the values of \(x , y\) and \(z\).
    2. Calculate the magnitude of \(\left( \begin{array} { r } 5 \\ 4 \\ - 7 \end{array} \right)\).
    Edexcel M2 2024 January Q2
    6 marks Moderate -0.8
    1. \hspace{0pt} [In this question, \(\mathbf { i }\) and \(\mathbf { j }\) are horizontal perpendicular unit vectors.]
    A particle \(Q\) of mass 0.5 kg is moving on a smooth horizontal surface. Particle \(Q\) is moving with velocity \(( 3 \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { m } \mathrm { s } ^ { - 1 }\) when it receives an impulse of \(( 2 \mathbf { i } + 5 \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { Ns }\).
    1. Find the speed of \(Q\) immediately after receiving the impulse. As a result of receiving the impulse, the direction of motion of \(Q\) is turned through an angle \(\theta ^ { \circ }\)
    2. Find the value of \(\theta\)
    Edexcel M2 2024 January Q7
    14 marks Standard +0.8
    1. Particle \(P\) has mass \(m\) and particle \(Q\) has mass \(5 m\).
    The particles are moving in the same direction along the same straight line on a smooth horizontal surface. Particle \(P\) collides directly with particle \(Q\).
    Immediately before the collision, the speed of \(P\) is \(6 u\) and the speed of \(Q\) is \(u\).
    Immediately after the collision, the speed of \(P\) is \(x\) and the speed of \(Q\) is \(y\).
    The direction of motion of \(P\) is reversed as a result of the collision.
    The coefficient of restitution between \(P\) and \(Q\) is \(e\).
    1. Find the complete range of possible values of \(e\). Given that \(e = \frac { 3 } { 5 }\)
    2. find the total kinetic energy lost in the collision between \(P\) and \(Q\). After the collision, \(Q\) hits a smooth fixed vertical wall that is perpendicular to the direction of motion of \(Q\). Particle \(Q\) rebounds.
      The coefficient of restitution between \(Q\) and the wall is \(f\).
      Given that there is a second collision between \(P\) and \(Q\),
    3. find the complete range of possible values of \(f\).
    Edexcel M2 2023 October Q3
    6 marks Standard +0.3
    3. \begin{figure}[h]
    \includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{f180f5f0-43c5-4365-b0d8-7284220b481e-08_424_752_246_667} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 2}
    \end{figure} A particle \(Q\) of mass 0.25 kg is moving in a straight line on a smooth horizontal surface with speed \(8 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) when it receives an impulse of magnitude \(I \mathrm { Ns }\). The impulse acts parallel to the horizontal surface and at \(60 ^ { \circ }\) to the original direction of motion of \(Q\). Immediately after receiving the impulse, the speed of \(Q\) is \(12 \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 1 }\) As a result of receiving the impulse, the direction of motion of \(Q\) is turned through \(\alpha ^ { \circ }\), as shown in Figure 2. Find the value of \(I\)
    Edexcel M2 2018 Specimen Q3
    11 marks Standard +0.3
    3. At time \(t\) seconds \(( t \geqslant 0 )\) a particle \(P\) has velocity \(\mathbf { v } \mathrm { m } \mathrm { s } ^ { - 1 }\), where $$\mathbf { v } = \left( 6 t ^ { 2 } + 6 t \right) \mathbf { i } + \left( 3 t ^ { 2 } + 24 \right) \mathbf { j }$$ When \(t = 0\) the particle \(P\) is at the origin \(O\). At time \(T\) seconds, \(P\) is at the point \(A\) and \(\mathbf { v } = \lambda ( \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } )\), where \(\lambda\) is a constant. Find
    1. the value of \(T\),
    2. the acceleration of \(P\) as it passes through the point \(A\),
    3. the distance \(O A\).
    Edexcel M2 2007 June Q2
    6 marks Moderate -0.8
    2. A particle \(P\) of mass 0.5 kg moves under the action of a single force \(\mathbf { F }\) newtons. At time \(t\) seconds, the velocity \(\mathbf { v } \mathrm { m } \mathrm { s } ^ { - 1 }\) of \(P\) is given by $$\mathbf { v } = 3 t ^ { 2 } \mathbf { i } + ( 1 - 4 t ) \mathbf { j }$$ Find
    1. the acceleration of \(P\) at time \(t\) seconds,
    2. the magnitude of \(\mathbf { F }\) when \(t = 2\).
    Edexcel M2 2008 June Q4
    12 marks Standard +0.3
    1. A particle \(P\) of mass 0.5 kg is moving under the action of a single force \(\mathbf { F }\) newtons. At time \(t\) seconds,
    $$\mathbf { F } = ( 6 t - 5 ) \mathbf { i } + \left( t ^ { 2 } - 2 t \right) \mathbf { j }$$ The velocity of \(P\) at time \(t\) seconds is \(\mathbf { v } \mathrm { m } \mathrm { s } ^ { - 1 }\). When \(t = 0 , \mathbf { v } = \mathbf { i } - 4 \mathbf { j }\).
    1. Find \(\mathbf { v }\) at time \(t\) seconds. When \(t = 3\), the particle \(P\) receives an impulse ( \(- 5 \mathbf { i } + 12 \mathbf { j }\) ) N s.
    2. Find the speed of \(P\) immediately after it receives the impulse.
    Edexcel M2 2009 June Q1
    5 marks Moderate -0.5
    1. A particle of mass 0.25 kg is moving with velocity \(( 3 \mathbf { i } + 7 \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { m } \mathrm { s } ^ { - 1 }\) when it receives the impulse \(( 5 \mathbf { i } - 3 \mathbf { j } )\) N s.
    Find the speed of the particle immediately after the impulse.
    Edexcel M2 2013 June Q1
    5 marks Moderate -0.8
    1. A particle \(P\) of mass 2 kg is moving with velocity \(( \mathbf { i } - 4 \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { m } \mathrm { s } ^ { - 1 }\) when it receives an impulse of \(( 3 \mathbf { i } + 6 \mathbf { j } ) \mathrm { N } \mathrm { s }\).
    Find the speed of \(P\) immediately after the impulse is applied.
    (5)