NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Physics

Chapter 3 – Motion In Plane

1. State, for each of the following physical quantities, if it is a scalar or a vector: volume,
mass, speed, acceleration, density, number of moles, velocity, angular frequency,
displacement, angular velocity.

Ans:

Scalar: Mass, volume, density, angular frequency, number of moles, speed.

Vector: Acceleration, angular velocity, velocity, displacement.

A scalar quantity is specified by its magnitude. Mass, volume, density, angular frequency,
number of moles, speed are some of the scalar physical quantities.

A vector quantity is specified by its magnitude and the direction associated with it.

Acceleration, angular velocity, velocity, displacement belong to this category.

2. Pick out the two scalar quantities in the following list:

Force, angular momentum, work, current, linear momentum, electric field, average
velocity, magnetic moment, relative velocity.

Ans:

Work and current are examples of scalar quantities.

Work done is said to be the dot product of force and displacement. As the dot product of two
quantities is always a scalar, work is considered as a scalar physical quantity.

Current is described by its magnitude. Its direction is not considered.

Thus, it is a scalar quantity.

Class XI Physics www.vedantu.com 1

3. Pick out the only vector quantity in the following list: Temperature, pressure, impulse,
time, power, total path length, energy, gravitational potential, coefficient of friction,
charge.

Ans: Impulse

It is given by the product of force and time. As force is a vector quantity, its product with time
gives a vector quantity.

4. State with reasons, whether the following algebraic operations with scalar and vector
physical quantities are meaningful:

(a) adding any two scalars.

(b) adding a scalar to a vector of the same dimension s,

(c) multiplying any vector by any scalar,

(d) multiplying any two scalars,

(e) adding any two vectors,

(f) adding a component of a vector to the same vector.

Ans:

(a) Not Meaningful.

The addition of two scalar quantities will be meaningful only if they both represent the same
physical quantity.

(b) Not Meaningful.

The addition of a vector quantity with a scalar quantity is considered not meaningful.

(c) Meaningful.

A scalar can be multiplied with a vector. Force is multiplied with time to give impulse.

Class XI Physics www.vedantu.com 2

(d) Meaningful.

A scalar, respective to the physical quantity, can be multiplied with another scalar having the
same or different dimensions.

(e) Not Meaningful.

The addition of two vector quantities is considered meaningful only if they both represent the
same physical quantity.

(f) Meaningful

A component of a vector can be added to the same vector as both ave the same dimensions.

5. Read each statement below carefully and state with reasons, if it is true or false:

(a) The magnitude of a vector is always a scalar,

(b) each component of a vector is always a scalar,

(c) the total path length is always equal to the magnitude of the displacement vector of a
particle.

(d) the average speed of a particle (defined as total path length divided by the time taken
to cover the path) is either greater or equal to the magnitude of average velocity of the
particle over the same interval of time,

(e) Three vectors not lying m a plane can never add up to give a null vector.

Ans:(a) True.

The magnitude of a vector is a number. So, it is a scalar.

(b) False.

Each component of a vector is a vector.

(c) False.

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The total path length is scalar, whereas displacement is a vector quantity. So, the total path
length is greater than the magnitude of displacement. It is equal to the magnitude of
displacement only when a particle is moving in a straight line.

(d) True.

It is because the total path length is always greater than or equal to the magnitude of
displacement of a particle.

(e) True.

Three vectors, which do not lie in a plane, can’t be represented by the sides of a triangle taken
in the same order.

6. Establish the following vector inequalities geometrically or otherwise:

(a) | a + b | | a | + | b |

(b) | a + b | | a | − | b |

(c) | a − b | | a | − | b |

(d) | a − b | | a | − | b |

When does the equality sign above apply?

Ans: a) Let a and b be represented by the adjacent sides of a parallelogram OMNP as shown
below:

| OM |=| a | ... ( i )

| MN |=| OP |=| b | ... ( ii )

| ON |=| a + b | ... ( iii )

As each side is smaller than the sum of the other two sides in a triangle,

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In OMN ,

ON  (OM + MN)

| a + b || a | + | b | ...(iv)
If a and b act along a straight line in the same direction, then:

| a + b |=| a | + | b | ...(v)

Combine equations (iv) and (v)

|a +b| |a|+|b|

b) Let a and b be represented by the adjacent sides of a parallelogram OMNP, as shown

below:

| OM |=| a | ... ( i )

| MN |=| OP |=| b | ... ( ii )

| ON |=| a + b | ... ( iii )

As each side is smaller than the sum of the other two sides in a triangle,

In OMN ,

ON + MN  OM

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ON + OM  MN

| ON || OM − OM | ( OP = MN)

If a and b act along a straight line in the same direction, then:

| a + b |=|| a | − | b || ...(v)
Combine equations (iv) and (v)

| a + b | || a | − | b ||

c) Let a and b be represented by the adjacent sides of a parallelogram PQRS:

| OR | =| PS | =| b | …. (i)

| OP |=| a | ...(ii)

As each side is smaller than the sum of the other two sides in a triangle,

In OPS ,

OS  OP + PS

| a − b || a | + | −b |

| a − b || a | + | b | ...(iii)

If the two vectors act in a straight line but in opposite directions, then:

| a − b |=| a | + | b |

Combine equations (iii) and (iv)

| a −b| | a| + | b|

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d) Let a and b be represented by the adjacent sides of a parallelogram PQ

OS + PS  OP ...(i)

OS  OP - PS ...(ii)

| a − b || a | − | b | ...(iii)

The L.H.S is always positive and R.H.S can be positive or negative.

To make both quantities positive, take modulus on both sides.

a −b  a − b

a −b  a − b ...(iv)
If the two vectors act in a straight line but in the same direction:

a −b = a − b ...(v)

Combine equation (iv) and equation (v) : a − b a−b

7. Given a + b + c + d = 0 , which of the following statements are correct:

(a) a, b, c , and d must each be a null vector,

(b) The magnitude of (a + c) equals the magnitude of (b + d )

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(c) The magnitude of a can never be greater than the sum of the magnitudes of b , c , and
d,

(d) b + c must lie in the plane of a and d if a and d are not collinear, and in the line of
a and d .

if they are collinear?

Ans:

(a) Incorrect

To make a + b + c + d = 0 , it is not necessary to have all four vectors as null vectors. There are
many other combinations which will give the sum zero.

(b) Correct

a +b +c +d =0

a + c = − (b + d)

Take modulus on both sides:

| a + c |=| −(b + d) |=| (b + d) |

So, the magnitude of (a + c ) is the same as the magnitude of (b + d )

(c) Correct

a +b +c +d =0

a = − (b + c + d)

Take modulus on both sides:

a =| (b + c + d ) |

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a |b |+|c |+|d | ...(i)

(b + c + d ) is the sum of vectors b , c and d . The magnitude of (b + c + d ) is less than, or

equal to the sum of the magnitudes of b , c and d . So, the magnitude of a cannot be greater
than the sum of the magnitudes of b , c and d. Equation (i) shows that the magnitude of a is
equal to or less than the sum of the magnitudes of b , c and d

(d) Correct

For, a + b + c + d = 0

a + (b + c) + d = 0

The resultant sum of the vectors a, (b + c ) and d is zero only if (b + c ) lie in the same plane
as a and d

If a and d are collinear, then (b + c) is in the line of a and d . This is true in this case and the
vector sum of all the vectors will be zero.

8. Three girls skating on a circular ice ground of radius 200 m start from a point P on
the edge of the ground and reach a point Q diametrically opposite to P following
different paths as shown in Fig. 4.20 . What is the magnitude of the displacement vector
for each? For which girl is this equal to the actual length of the path skated?

Ans:

The magnitudes of displacements are equal to the diameter of the ground.

Radius of the ground = 200 m

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Diameter of the ground = 2  200 = 400 m

So, the magnitude of the displacement for each girl is 400 m which is equal to the actual length
of the path skated by girl B .

9. A cyclist starts from the center O of a circular park of radius 1 km , reaches the edge
P of the park, then cycles along the circumference, and returns to the center along QO
as shown in the following figure. If the round trip takes 1 0 min, what is the

(a) net displacement,

(b) average velocity, and

(c) average speed of the cyclist?

Ans 9:

(a) The cyclist comes to the starting point after cycling for 1 0 minutes. So, his net
displacement is zero.

Net displacement Total time

(b) Average velocity =
Total time

As the net displacement of the cyclist is zero, his average velocity is also zero.

Total path length

(c) Average speed =
Total time

Total path length = OP + PQ + QO

1
= 1 + (2 1) + 1
4

1
= 2 +  3.570 km
2

Time taken = 10 min

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 10
=
60

1
= h
6

3.570
 Average speed = = 21.42 km / h
1

10. On an open ground, a motorist follows a track that turns to his left by an angle of 600
after every 500 m . Starting from a given turn, specify the displacement of the total at the
third, sixth and eighth turn. Compare the magnitude of the displacement with the total
path length covered by the motorist in each case.

Ans:

The path is a regular hexagon with side 500 m .

Let the motorist start from P .

The motorist takes the third turn at S .

 Magnitude of displacement = PS

= PV + VS

= 500 + 500

= 1000 m

Total path length = PQ + QR + RS

= 500 + 500 + 500

= 1500 m

The motorist takes the sixth turn at P , which is the starting point.

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 Magnitude of displacement = 0

Total path length = PQ + QR + RS + ST + TU + UP

= 500 + 500 + 500 + 500 + 500 + 500

= 3000 m

The motorist takes the eight turns at R .

 Magnitude of displacement = PR

= PQ 2 + QR 2 + ( PQ)(QR)cos 600

= 5002 + 5002 + (500)(500)cos600

 1
= 250000 + 250000 +  500000  
 2

= 866.03 m

 500  sin600 
 = tan −1  0 
 500 + 500  cos60 

 = 30 0

Thus, the magnitude of displacement is 866.03 m at an angle of 300 with PR .

Total path length = Circumference of the hexagon + PQ + QR

= 6  500 + 500 + 500

= 4000 m

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 Turn Magnitude of Displacement Total Path Length

Third 1000 1500

Sixth 0 3000

Eighth 866.03; 300 4000

11. A passenger arriving in a new town wishes to go from the station to a hotel located
10 km away on a straight road from the station. A dishonest cabman takes him along a
circuitous path 23 km long and reaches the hotel in 28 min . What is

(a) the average speed of the taxi,

(b) the magnitude of average velocity? Are the two equal?

Ans:

(a) Total distance travelled = 23 km

28
Total time taken = 28 min = h
60

Total distance travelled

Average speed of the taxi =
Total time taken

(b) Distance between the hotel and the station = 10 km = Displacement of the car

Class XI Physics www.vedantu.com 13

 10
 Average velocity =
28
60

= 21.43 km / h

12. The ceiling of a long hall is 25 m high. What is the maximum horizontal distance that
a ball thrown with a speed of 40 ms −1 can go without hitting the ceiling of the hall?

Ans:

Speed of the ball, 40 ms −1

Maximum height, h = 25 m

In projectile motion, the maximum height reached, by a body projected at an angle  is:

u 2 sin2
h=
2g

402 sin 2
25 =
2  9.8

sin2 = 0.30625

sin = 0.5534

 = sin−1 ( 0.5534 )

 = 33.60

The horizontal range is

u 2 sin2
R=
g

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 ( 40 )
2
 sin2  33.60
R=
9.8

1600  sin67.2
R=
9.8

1600  0.922
R=
9.8

R = 150.53m

13. A cricketer can throw a ball to a maximum horizontal distance of 100m .How much
high above the ground can the cricketer throw the same ball?

Ans:

Maximum horizontal distance, R = 100m

The cricketer will throw the ball to the maximum horizontal distance when the angle of
projection is 450 , i.e.,  = 450

The horizontal range for a projection velocity v , is:

u 2 sin 2
R=
g

u 2 sin 900
100 =
g

u2
= 100 ...(i)
g

The ball will reach the maximum height when it is thrown vertically upward. For this type of
motion, the final velocity is zero at the maximum height H .

Acceleration, a = − g

Class XI Physics www.vedantu.com 15

Use the third equation of motion:

v 2 − u 2 = − 2 gH

1 u2
H= 
2 g

1
H = 100
2

H = 50 m

14. A stone tied to the end of a string 80 cm long is whirled in a horizontal circle with a
constant speed. If the stone makes 14 revolutions in 25 s , what is the magnitude and
direction of acceleration of the stone?

Ans:

Length of the string, = 80 cm = 0.8 m

Number of revolutions = 14

Time taken = 25 s

Number of revolutions 14
Frequency, v = = Hz
Time taken 25

Angular frequency,  = 2 v

22 14
= 2 
7 25

88
= rads −1
25

Centripetal acceleration, a e =  2 r

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 2
 88 
=    0.8
 25 

= 9.91 ms −2

The direction of centripetal acceleration is always along the string, towards the center, at all
points.

15. An aircraft executes a horizontal loop of radius 1.00 km with a steady speed of
900 km / h. Compare its centripetal acceleration with the acceleration due to gravity.

Ans:

Radius of the loop, r = 1 km = 1000 m

Speed of the aircraft, v = 900 kmh −1

5
= 900 
18

= 250 ms −1

v2
Centripetal acceleration, a e =
r

(250) 2
=
1000

= 62.5 ms −2

Acceleration due to gravity, g = 9.8 ms −2

ac 6.25
=
g 1000

ac = 6.38 g

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The Centripetal acceleration is 6.38 times the acceleration due to gravity.

16. Read each statement below carefully and state, with reasons, if it is true or false:

(a) The net acceleration of a particle m circular motion is always along the radius of the
circle towards the center

(b) The velocity vector of a particle at a point is always along the tangent to the path of
the particle at that point

(c) The acceleration vector of a particle in uniform circular motion averaged over one
cycle is a null vector

Ans:

(a) False

In circular motion, the net acceleration of a particle is not always directed along the radius of
the circle toward the center. It happens only in the case of uniform circular motion.

(b) True

At a point on a circular path, a particle appears to move tangentially to the circular path.

Thus, the velocity vector of the particle is always along the tangent at a point.

(c) True

In uniform circular motion, the acceleration vector points towards the center of the circle. The
average of these vectors over one cycle is a null vector.

17. The position of a particle is given by r = 3.0ti − 2.0t 2 j + 4.0 km

Where t is in seconds and the coefficients have the proper units for r to be in meters.

(a) Find the v and a of the particle?

(b) What is the magnitude and direction of velocity of the particle at t = 2.0 s ?

Class XI Physics www.vedantu.com 18

Ans:

v(t) = (3.0i − 4.0j) : a = − 4.0j

The position of the particle is:

r = 3.0i − 2.0t 2 j + 4.0k

Velocity, v of the particle is:

dr
v=
dt

v=
d
dt
(
3.0ti − 2  Ot 2 j + 4.0k )
 v = 3.0i − 4.0t

Acceleration of the particle is:

dv
a=
dt

d
a= (3.0i − 4.O j)
dt

 a = − 4.O j

The velocity vector, v = 3.0iˆ − 4.0tjˆ

At t = 2.0 s :

v = 3.0i − 8.0j

The magnitude of velocity is:

Class XI Physics www.vedantu.com 19

| v |= 32 + (−8) 2

| v |= 73

| v |= 8.54 m / s

 vy 
And  = tan −1  
 vx 

 −8 
= tan −1  
 3 

= − tan −1 (2.667)

= − 69.450

The negative sign indicates that the direction of velocity is 8.54 ms −1 , 69.450 below the x −
axis.

18. A particle starts from the origin at t = 0 s with a velocity of 10.07 and moves in the
x − y plane with a constant acceleration of (8.0i + 2.0j)ms - 2

(a) At what time is the x − coordinate of the particle 16 m ? What is the y − coordinate of
the particle at that time?

(b) What is the speed of the particle at the time?

Ans:Velocity of the particle, v = 10.0j ms −1

Acceleration of the particle a = (8.0i + 2.0j)

dv
But, a = = 8.0i + 2.0 j
dt

dv = (8.0i + 2.0j)dt

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Integrate both sides:

v(t) = 8.0i + 2.0j + u

Where,

u = Velocity vector of the particle at t = 0

v = Velocity vector of the particle at time 

dr
But v =
dt

dr = vdt = (8.0ti + 2.0t j + u)dt

Integrate the equations with at t = 0; r = 0 and at t = t; r = r

1 1
r = ut + 8.0t 2 i + 2.0t 2 j
2 2

= ut+4  0t 2 i + t 2 j

= (10.0j)t + 4.0t 2 i + i 2 j

(
xi + y = 4.0t 2 i + 10t + t 2 j )
Equate the coefficients of i and j :

x = 4t 2

1
 x 2
t = 
4

And y = 10t + t 2

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When x = 16 m :

1
 16  2
t = 
 4

t = 2s

 y = 10  2 + (2) 2 = 24m

Velocity of the particle is:

v(t) = 8.0ti + 2.0t + u

At t = 2 s

v(t) = 8.0  2i + 2.0  2j + 10j

= 16i + 14j

 Speed of the particle:

| v |= (16) 2 + (14) 2

= 256 + 196

= 452

= 21.26 ms −1

19. i and j are unit vectors along x − and y -axis respectively. What is the magnitude
and direction of the vectors i + j and i.j ? What are the components of a vector a = 2i + 3j
along the directions of i + j and i − j ?

Ans:

Class XI Physics www.vedantu.com 22

Consider a vector P

P =i+ j
Px i + Py j = i + j
Compare the components on both sides:

Px = Py = 1

P = Px 2 + Py 2

P = 12 + 12

P= 2 ...(i)

So, the magnitude of the vector i + j is 2

Let  be the angle made by P , with the x - axis.

 Px 
So, tan =  

 Py 

1
 = tan −1  
 
1
 = 45 ...(ii)
So, the vector i + j makes an angle of 450 with the x - axis

Let  be the angle made by Q , with the x - axis.

Q =i− j

Qx i − Qy j = i − j

Qx + Q y = 1

| Q |= Q2x + Q2y

Class XI Physics www.vedantu.com 23

| Q |= 2

So, the magnitude of the vector i − j is 2.

Let  be the angle made by the vector Q , with the x - axis.

 Qy 
 tan  =  
 Qx 

 1
 = − tan −1  − 
1 

 = − 450

So, the vector i − j makes and angle of −450 with the axis.

Compare the coefficients of i and j

A = 2i + 3j

A x i + A y j = 2i + 3j

Let A make an angle  with the x - axis

A 
 tan  =  x 
 Ay
 

3
 = tan −1  
 
2

= tan −1 (1.5)

= 56.310

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Angle between (2iˆ + 3 ˆj ) and (iˆ + ˆj )

 = 56.31 − 45 = 11.310

A , along the direction of P making an angle  

A 
 tan  =  x 
 Ay
 

tan  = (A cos  )P

(i + j)
tan  = (A cos11.31)
2

0.9806
tan  = 13  (i + j)
2

tan  = 2.5(i + j)

25
tan  =  2
10

5
tan  =  (v)
2

Let  be the angle between (2iˆ + 3 ˆj ) and (iˆ + ˆj )

  = 45 + 56.31 = 101.310

Component of vector A , along the direction of Q , making an angle 

= ( A cos  )Q

(iˆ − ˆj )
= ( A cos  )
2

Class XI Physics www.vedantu.com 25

 ˆ
(
= 13 cos 901.310 ) (i+j)
2

13
= − sin11.300 (i − j)
2

= − 2.550  0.1961(i − j)

= − 0.5(i − j)

5
= −  2
10

1
= −
2

20. For any arbitrary motion in space, which of the following relations are true:

1
(a) vaverage =   ( v ( t1 ) + v ( t 2 ) )
2

[r(t 2 ) - r(t1 )]
(b) vaverage =
(t 2 - t1 )

(c) v(t) = v(0) + at

1
(d) r(t) = r(0) + v(0)t +   at 2
2

[v(t 2 ) - v(t1 )]
(e) a average =
(t 2 - t1 )

(The ‘average’ stands for average of the quantity over the time interval t1 to t2 )

Ans:

Class XI Physics www.vedantu.com 26

(a) False. As the motion of the particle is arbitrary, the average velocity of the particle cannot
be given by this equation.

(b) True. The arbitrary motion of the particle can be represented by the given equation.

(c) False. The motion of the particle is arbitrary. The acceleration of the particle may also be
non-uniform. So, this equation cannot represent the motion of the particle in space.

(d) False. The motion of the particle is arbitrary, acceleration of the particle may also be non-
uniform. So, this equation cannot represent the motion of particle in space.

(e) True. The arbitrary motion of the particle can be represented by the given equation.

21. Read each statement below carefully and state, with reasons and examples, if it is true
or false:

A scalar quantity is one that:

(a) is conserved in a process

(b) can never take negative values

(c) must be dimensionless

(d) does not vary from one point to another in space

(e) has the same value for observers with different orientations of axes

Ans:

(a) False. Energy is not conserved in inelastic collisions.

(b) False. Temperature can take negative values.

(c) False. Total path length is a scalar quantity and has the dimension of length.

(d) False. A scalar quantity like gravitational potential can vary from one point to another in
space.

Class XI Physics www.vedantu.com 27

(e) True. The value of a scalar does not change for observers with different orientations of
axes.

22. An aircraft is flying at a height of 3400 m above the ground. If the angle subtended
at a ground observation point by the aircraft positions 10.0 s apart is 300 , what is the
speed of the aircraft?

Ans:

The positions of the observer and the aircraft are shown below:

Height of the aircraft from ground, OR = 3400 m

Angle subtended between the positions, POQ = 300

Time = 10 s

In PRO :

PR
tan150 =
OR

PR = OR tan150

PR = 3400  tan150

 PRO is similar to RQO

 PR = RQ

PQ = PR + RQ

Class XI Physics www.vedantu.com 28

PQ = 2PR

PQ = 2  3400 tan150

PQ = 6800  0.268

PQ = 1822.4 m

1822.4
 Speed of the aircraft = = 182.24 m / s
10

Class XI Physics www.vedantu.com 29