1.10d Vector operations: addition and scalar multiplication

424 questions

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OCR MEI M1 Q3
6 marks Moderate -0.3
3 In this question the unit vectors \(\mathbf { i }\) and \(\mathbf { j }\) are pointing east and north respectively.
  1. Calculate the bearing of the vector \(- 4 \mathbf { i } - 6 \mathbf { j }\). The vector \(- 4 \mathbf { i } - 6 \mathbf { j } + k ( 3 \mathbf { i } - 2 \mathbf { j } )\) is in the direction \(7 \mathbf { i } - 9 \mathbf { j }\).
  2. Find \(k\).
OCR MEI M1 Q6
8 marks Moderate -0.3
6 Force \(\mathbf { F } _ { 1 }\) is \(\binom { 6 } { 13 } \mathrm {~N}\) and force \(\mathbf { F } _ { 2 }\) is \(\binom { 3 } { 5 }\), where \(\left. \int _ { 0 } \right] _ { \text {and } } \binom { 0 } { 1 }\) 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 Q1
6 marks Moderate -0.8
1 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 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 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 2008 June Q4
10 marks Standard +0.3
4 Two smooth spheres, \(A\) and \(B\), have equal radii and masses \(m\) and \(2 m\) respectively. The spheres are moving on a smooth horizontal plane. The sphere \(A\) has velocity ( \(4 \mathbf { i } + 3 \mathbf { j }\) ) when it collides with the sphere \(B\) which has velocity \(( - 2 \mathbf { i } + 2 \mathbf { j } )\). After the collision, the velocity of \(B\) is \(( \mathbf { i } + \mathbf { j } )\).
  1. Find the velocity of \(A\) immediately after the collision.
  2. Find the angle between the velocities of \(A\) and \(B\) immediately after the collision.
  3. Find the impulse exerted by \(B\) on \(A\).
  4. State, as a vector, the direction of the line of centres of \(A\) and \(B\) when they collide.
    (1 mark)
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 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 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
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
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 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 \(P\).