Q.Find the angle between force F=(3i^+4j^−5k^) unit and displacement d=(5i^+4j^+3k^) unit. Also find the projection of F on d.
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🔒 Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →Concept understanding — Dot Product Angle
The Dot Product and the Angle Between Vectors
Imagine you're pushing a heavy box across the floor. You push at an angle — not straight forward, but partly downward and partly forward. The part of your push that actually moves the box is only the forward component. The downward part just presses the box into the floor.
That's the core intuition behind the dot product: it measures how much one vector "goes in the direction of" another vector.
Step 1: What is a dot product?
Given two vectors a and b in 2D or 3D space, their dot product (also called the scalar product) is defined algebraically as:
a⋅b=a1b1+a2b2+a3b3
You multiply corresponding components and add them up. The result is a single number (a scalar), not a vector.
For example, if a=(3,4) and b=(2,−1), then:
a⋅b=3×2+4×(−1)=6−4=2
Step 2: The geometric meaning — the angle connection
Here's the beautiful part. The dot product also has a completely different geometric definition:
a⋅b=∣a∣∣b∣cosθ
where ∣a∣ and ∣b∣ are the magnitudes (lengths) of the vectors, and θ is the angle between them when they're placed tail-to-tail.
This is the dot product angle formula. It connects algebra (component multiplication) to geometry (angle and length).
Step 3: Why does this make sense?
Think about the extreme cases:
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Vectors point in the same direction (θ=0∘): cos0=1, so a⋅b=∣a∣∣b∣ — the maximum possible value. All of one vector's "push" is in the other's direction.
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Vectors are perpendicular (θ=90∘): cos90∘=0, so a⋅b=0. Neither vector has any component along the other. This is a crucial test for orthogonality.
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Vectors point opposite (θ=180∘): cos180∘=−1, so a⋅b=−∣a∣∣b∣ — the most negative value. They're completely against each other.
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Any other angle: the dot product is somewhere between these extremes, proportional to how much one vector "projects" onto the other.
The dot product is positive when the angle is acute (<90∘), zero when perpendicular, and negative when obtuse (>90∘). This sign alone tells you whether the vectors are generally aligned or opposed.
Step 4: Finding the angle from the dot product
If you know the components of two vectors, you can find the angle between them by rearranging the formula:
cosθ=∣a∣∣b∣a⋅b
Then use θ=cos−1(that value).
Example: Find the angle between a=(1,2) and b=(3,4).
- Compute dot product: 1×3+2×4=3+8=11
- Compute magnitudes: ∣a∣=12+22=5, ∣b∣=32+42=5
- cosθ=5×511=5511≈0.9839
- θ=cos−1(0.9839)≈10.3∘
The vectors are nearly aligned.
The dot product formula gives cosθ, not θ itself. Always take the inverse cosine. Also, the formula works for vectors of any dimension — 2D, 3D, even 100D — as long as you use the component definition.
Step 5: The precise statement …
Concept: Dot Product for Angle and Projection
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First, calculate the dot product of the vectors and their magnitudes:
F⋅d=(3)(5)+(4)(4)+(−5)(3)=15+16−15=16
∣F∣=32+42+(−5)2=9+16+25=50=52
∣d∣=52+42+32=25+16+9=50=52
-
The angle θ between F and d is found using cosθ=∣F∣∣d∣F⋅d:
cosθ=(52)(52)16=5016=258
θ=cos−1(258) …
We use the dot product to find the angle between the vectors, yielding θ=arccos(258), and then apply the projection formula to find the projection of F on d as 582 units.
To find the angle between two vectors and the projection of one vector onto another, the dot product is our fundamental tool. The dot product, also known as the scalar product, provides a way to relate the algebraic components of vectors to their geometric relationship, specifically the angle between them.
Finding the Angle Between Vectors
The dot product of two vectors A and B can be defined in two ways:
- Algebraically: If A=Axi^+Ayj^+Azk^ and B=Bxi^+Byj^+Bzk^, then A⋅B=AxBx+AyBy+AzBz.
- Geometrically: A⋅B=∣A∣∣B∣cosθ, where ∣A∣ and ∣B∣ are the magnitudes of the vectors, and θ is the angle between them.
By equating these two definitions, we get a powerful formula to find the angle:
cosθ=∣A∣∣B∣A⋅B
This formula allows us to calculate the cosine of the angle using only the components of the vectors.
Let's apply this to our problem:
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Identify the vectors.
We are given the force vector F and the displacement vector d:
F=3i^+4j^−5k^
d=5i^+4j^+3k^
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Calculate the dot product F⋅d.
We multiply the corresponding components and sum them up:
F⋅d=(3)(5)+(4)(4)+(−5)(3)
F⋅d=15+16−15
F⋅d=16
-
Calculate the magnitudes of F and d.
The magnitude of a vector V=Vxi^+Vyj^+Vzk^ is given by ∣V∣=Vx2+Vy2+Vz2.
For F:
∣F∣=32+42+(−5)2
∣F∣=9+16+25
∣F∣=50
∣F∣=52
For d:
∣d∣=52+42+32
∣d∣=25+16+9
∣d∣=50
∣d∣=52
TipNotice that both vectors have the same magnitude, 50. This simplifies calculations slightly.
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Apply the dot product formula to find cosθ.
Substitute the calculated dot product and magnitudes into the formula cosθ=∣F∣∣d∣F⋅d:
cosθ=(52)(52)16
cosθ=25⋅216
cosθ=5016
cosθ=258
-
Find the angle θ.
To find θ, we take the inverse cosine (arccosine) of the value:
θ=arccos(258)
Finding the Projection of F on d …
Concept: Vector Dot Product — Angle and Projection
Step 1: Write the vectors and compute the dot product.
F=3i^+4j^−5k^,d=5i^+4j^+3k^
F⋅d=(3)(5)+(4)(4)+(−5)(3)=15+16−15=16
Step 2: Compute the magnitudes.
∣F∣=32+42+(−5)2=50=52,∣d∣=52+42+32=50=52
Step 3: Find the angle using cosθ=∣F∣∣d∣F⋅d. …
Showing the 12 most recent of 19 on this concept.
- AP EAPCET 2026Set ap-2026-05-19-FN1 markMCQQ.A 15 W machine used (3i+5j+6k) N force for 6 seconds to lift a body through a distance of X m along x-axis. The value of X is (A) 20m (B) 25m (C) 30m (D) 35m
›Reveal solutionSolution
Total work from power×time is 90 J; only the x-component of the force (3 N)
acts along the x-axis displacement, giving X = 30 m. Answer: (C).
Concept and Intuition
Work done by a constant force over a displacement is W=F⋅d. If the displacement is purely along one axis, only the force
component along that axis contributes to the work — the other components
are perpendicular to the motion and do zero work.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Total work delivered by the 15 W machine in 6 s: W=Pt=15×6=90 J.
- The displacement is X m purely along the x-axis, i.e. d=Xi^.
- Force is F=3i^+5j^+6k^ N; only its x-component (Fx=3 N) does work on an x-axis displacement (the j and k components …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set ap-2026-05-19-AN1 markMCQQ.Work done in moving a charge perpendicular to electric field E is (A) positive (B) negative (C) zero (D) infinity
›Reveal solutionSolution
Displacement perpendicular to the electric field does zero work on the charge.
Concept and Intuition
Work done by a force is W=F⋅d=Fdcosθ. The electrostatic force on a charge is qE, which is parallel to E. If the displacement is perpendicular to E, the angle between force and displacement is 90°, and the dot product vanishes — physically, this is exactly like moving along an equipotential surface, where no work is needed.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Force on charge: F=qE, direction along E. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-24-FN1 markMCQQ.If a force F=(3i^−2j^) N acting on a body displaces it from point (1 m, 2 m) to point (2 m, 0 m), then work done by the force is (A) 5 J (B) 6 J (C) 4 J (D) 7 J
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests the dot-product definition of work done by a constant force in vector form; the answer is (D) 7 J.
Concept and Intuition
Work done by a constant force F during a displacement d is W=F⋅d, not simply force magnitude times distance travelled along some path — because a force does work only along the component of displacement parallel to it. So the first step is always to find the displacement vector, then take the dot product.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Initial point: (1,2) m; final point: (2,0) m.
- Displacement vector: d=(2−1)i^+(0−2)j^=i^−2j^ m.
- Given force: F=3i^−2j^ N. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-26-AN1 markMCQQ.If a constant force of (2i^+3j^+4k^) N acting on a body of mass 5 kg displaces it from (3i^−4k^) m to (2i^+2j^+3k^) m, then the work done by the force on the body is (A) 32 J (B) 28 J (C) 36 J (D) 44 J
›Reveal solutionSolution
Work done by a constant force is the dot product of force and displacement vectors; here it works out to 32 J.
Concept and Intuition
For a constant force, work is simply W=F⋅d, where d is the displacement vector (final position minus initial position) — mass is irrelevant to this calculation since force and displacement are both given directly.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Displacement d=rf−ri=(2i^+2j^+3k^)−(3i^+0j^−4k^)=(2−3)i^+(2−0)j^+(3−(−4))k^=−i^+2j^+7k^ m.
- Force F=2i^+3j^+4k^ N. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-26-FN1 markMCQQ.A vector perpendicular to the vector (4i^−3j^) is (A) 4i^+3j^ (B) 6i^ (C) 3i^−4j^ (D) 7k^
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests the basic perpendicularity test via the dot product, plus the geometric fact that k^ is orthogonal to every vector confined to the xy-plane.
Concept and Intuition
Two vectors are perpendicular exactly when their dot product is zero. Since i^,j^,k^ are mutually perpendicular unit vectors, any vector lying purely along k^ is automatically perpendicular to any vector lying purely in the i^–j^ plane — no computation needed once you see this structure.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Given vector: A=4i^−3j^ (no k^ component).
- Check (A) 4i^+3j^: A⋅(4i^+3j^)=16−9=7=0.
- Check (B) 6i^: A⋅6i^=24=0.
- Check (C) 3i^−4j^: A⋅(3i^−4j^)=12+12=24=0. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-27-FN1 markMCQQ.If a force (3i^+2j^+5k^) N acting on a body displaces it through (2i^+2j^+1k^) m, then the work done by the force on the body is (A) 40 J (B) 20 J (C) 15 J (D) 25 J
›Reveal solutionSolution
Work is the dot product of force and displacement vectors: W=F⋅d=15 J.
Concept and Intuition
Work done by a constant force through a displacement is defined as the scalar (dot) product W=F⋅d=Fxdx+Fydy+Fzdz — only the component of force along the displacement direction contributes.
Step-by-Step Solution
- F=3i^+2j^+5k^ N, d=2i^+2j^+1k^ m.
- W=F⋅d=(3)(2)+(2)(2)+(5)(1).
- =6+4+5=15.
- Units: N⋅m = J. So W=15 J. …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-22-AN1 markMCQQ.A force of (4i+2j+k) N is acting on a particle of mass 2 kg displaces the particle from a position of (2i+2j+k) m to a position of (4i+3j+2k) m. The work done by the force on the particle in joules is (A) 21 J (B) 11 J (C) 14 J (D) 18 J
›Reveal solutionSolution
Work done by a constant force is F⋅Δr; computing this dot product directly gives 11 J, option (B).
Concept and Intuition
For a constant force, work depends only on the net displacement vector (not the path), so we just need the displacement between the two given position vectors and dot it with the force.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Displacement Δr=(4i+3j+2k)−(2i+2j+k)=2i+j+k (in metres).
- Force F=4i+2j+k (in newtons).
- Work W=F⋅Δr=(4)(2)+(2)(1)+(1)(1)=8+2+1=11 J. …
- AP EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-15-AN1 markMCQQ.Two forces whose magnitudes are in the ratio 5:3 are acting at a point at an angle 60° simultaneously. If the resultant of the two forces is 35 N, then the magnitudes of two forces respectively are (A) 3N, 5N (B) 25 N, 9N (C) 25 N, 15 N (D) 12 N, 20 N
›Reveal solutionSolution
Using the ratio to write the forces as 5k,3k and applying the resultant-of-two-vectors formula with cos60∘=21 gives k=5, so the forces are 25 N and 15 N.
Concept and Intuition
When two forces act at a point at a known angle, their resultant magnitude is governed by the parallelogram/triangle law: R2=F12+F22+2F1F2cosθ. Expressing forces in a given ratio as a common multiple k turns this into a simple algebraic equation for k.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let the two forces be F1=5k and F2=3k (ratio 5:3).
- Resultant formula: R2=F12+F22+2F1F2cosθ, with θ=60∘, cos60∘=21.
- Substitute: R2=25k2+9k2+2(5k)(3k)(21)=25k2+9k2+15k2=49k2.
- So R=7k. Given R=35N: 7k=35⇒k=5. …
- AP EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-15-AN1 markMCQQ.A body of mass 2 kg is moving with a constant acceleration of (2i^+3j^−k^) ms−2. If the displacement made by the body is (3i^−j^+2k^) m then the work done is (A) 22 J (B) 2 J (C) 12 J (D) 10 J
›Reveal solutionSolution
Work done by a constant force is the dot product of force and displacement; computing F=ma and dotting with d gives 2 J.
Concept and Intuition
For a constant force, work done is simply W=F⋅d — a scalar (dot) product, so components along mutually perpendicular directions multiply and add, with no cross terms.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Given: m=2kg, a=(2i^+3j^−k^)ms−2, d=(3i^−j^+2k^)m.
- Force: F=ma=2(2i^+3j^−k^)=4i^+6j^−2k^N. …
- AP EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-16-FN1 markMCQQ.A force, F=(4i^+3j^−5k^) N is acting on a body making an angle θ with the horizontal. Then the angle 'θ' is (A) cos−1(522) (B) cos−1(52) (C) cos−1(952) (D) cos−1(523)
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests resolving a 3-D force vector into a component along a reference (horizontal) direction and using cosθ= (component)/(magnitude).
Concept and Intuition
The angle a vector makes with a given reference direction is obtained by projecting the vector onto that direction. If i^ represents the horizontal reference axis, then the horizontal component of F is simply Fx, and cosθ between F and i^ is that component divided by the full magnitude of F — exactly like resolving a force along an incline or a reference line in 2-D, extended to 3-D.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Given F=4i^+3j^−5k^ N.
- Magnitude: ∣F∣=42+32+(−5)2=16+9+25=50=52 N.
- The horizontal reference direction is i^, so the component of F along it is Fx=4 N.
- cosθ=∣F∣Fx=524.
- Rationalising: 524×22=1042=522.
- So θ=cos−1(522).
Common Mistakes …
- AP EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-18-AN1 markMCQQ.A motor boat is moving in a river with velocity v=7i^+2j^−5k^ ms−1. If the flow of water offers resistive force F=9i^+3j^−3k^ N, then the power of the boat is (A) 13 W (B) 69 W (C) 12 W (D) 84 W
›Reveal solutionSolution
Power associated with a force acting on a moving object is the dot product F⋅v; computing the components directly gives 84 W.
Concept and Intuition
Instantaneous power delivered by (or against) a force is P=F⋅v — only the component of force along the velocity direction contributes, which is exactly what the dot product captures.
Step-by-Step Solution
- v=7i^+2j^−5k^ms−1, F=9i^+3j^−3k^N.
- P=F⋅v=(9)(7)+(3)(2)+(−3)(−5).
- =63+6+15=84W.
Common Mistakes …
- AP EAPCET 2022Set ap-2022-07-11-AN1 markMCQQ.The dot product of A=(i^+j^+k^) and the unit vector parallel to (i^−j^+k^) is (A) 31 (B) 32 (C) 3 (D) 3
›Reveal solutionSolution
Straightforward vector dot-product problem; the result is 1/3 after normalizing the second vector.
Concept and Intuition
To find the component of A along a given direction, we dot A with the unit vector in that direction (not the un-normalized vector). This requires first normalizing (i^−j^+k^) by dividing by its own magnitude.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Magnitude of (i^−j^+k^): 12+(−1)2+12=3.
- Unit vector: n^=3i^−j^+k^.
- Dot product: A⋅n^=(i^+j^+k^)⋅3i^−j^+k^=3(1)(1)+(1)(−1)+(1)(1)=31−1+1=31. …
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