Pre-Engineering Physics

Chapter 3-Introduction to Vectors

Displacement only

1.  Which type of quantity is characterized by both magnitude and direction?

a. scalar

b. vector

c. trigonometric

d. algebraic variable

2.  Which of the following is an example of a vector quantity?

a. velocity

b. temperature

c. volume

d. mass

3.  In a 2‑dimensional Cartesian coordinate system the x-component of a given vector is equal to that vector’s magnitude multiplied by which trigonometric function, with respect to the angle between vector and x-axis?

a. sine

b. cosine

c. tangent

d. cotangent

4.  In a 2‑dimensional Cartesian coordinate system the y-component of a given vector is equal to that vector’s magnitude multiplied by which trigonometric function, with respect to the angle between vector and y-axis?

a. sine

b. cosine

c. tangent

d. cotangent

5.  When we add a displacement vector to another displacement vector, the result is:

a. a velocity

b. an acceleration

c. another displacement

d. a scalar

6.  A taxicab moves five blocks due north, five blocks due east and another two blocks due north. Assume all blocks are of equal size. What is the magnitude of the taxi’s displacement, start to finish?                                                                Diagram:

a. 12 blocks

b. 9.8 blocks

c. 9.2 blocks

d. 8.6 blocks

7.  Arvin the Ant is on a picnic table. He travels 30 cm eastward, then 25 cm northward and finally 15 cm westward. What is the magnitude of Arvin’s net displacement?

                                                                                       Diagram:

a. 70 cm

b. 57 cm

c. 52 cm

d. 29 cm

8.  A quarterback takes the ball from the line of scrimmage, runs backward for 10 yards, then sideways-right parallel to the line of scrimmage for 15 yards. He then throws a 50‑yard forward pass straight downfield perpendicular to the line of scrimmage. The receiver is tackled immediately. How far is the football displaced from its original position?

                                                                                         Diagram:

a. 43 yards

b. 55 yards

c. 63 yards

            d. 75 yards

9.  Vector A is 3.0 units in length and points along the positive x-axis; vector B is 4.0 units in length and points along a direction 150° from the positive x-axis. What is the magnitude of the resultant when vectors A and B are added?

Diagram for #9,10

a. 7.0

b. 6.7

c. 4.7

d. 2.1

10. Vector A is 3.0 units in length and points along the positive x-axis; vector B is 4.0 units in length and points along a direction 150° from the positive x-axis. What is the direction of the resultant with respect to the positive x-axis?

            a. 77°

            b. 13°

            c. 86°

            d. 103°

11. Find the resultant (this means magnitude and direction) of the following two vectors: i) 50 units due east and ii) 100 units 30° north of west.

Diagram:

a. 100 units 30° north of west

b. 62 units 15° north of west

c. 87 units 60° north of west

d. 62 units 54° north of west