Skip to ContentGo to accessibility page
University Physics Volume 1

Challenge Problems

University Physics Volume 1Challenge Problems

Challenge Problems

88.

Vector B→B→ is 5.0 cm long and vector A→A→ is 4.0 cm long. Find the angle between these two vectors when |A→+B→|=3.0cm|A→+B→|=3.0cm.

89.

What is the component of the force vector G→=(3.0i^+4.0j^+10.0k^)NG→=(3.0i^+4.0j^+10.0k^)N along the force vector H→=(1.0i^+4.0j^)NH→=(1.0i^+4.0j^)N?

90.

The following figure shows a triangle formed by the three vectors A→A→, B→B→, and C→C→. If vector C→′C→′ is drawn between the midpoints of vectors A→A→ and B→B→, show that C→′=C→/2C→′=C→/2.

91.

Distances between points in a plane do not change when a coordinate system is rotated. In other words, the magnitude of a vector is invariant under rotations of the coordinate system. Suppose a coordinate system S is rotated about its origin by angle φφ to become a new coordinate system S′S′, as shown in the following figure. A point in a plane has coordinates (x, y) in S and coordinates (x′,y′)(x′,y′) in S′S′.

(a) Show that, during the transformation of rotation, the coordinates in S′S′ are expressed in terms of the coordinates in S by the following relations:

{ x ′ = x cos φ + y sin φ y ′ = − x sin φ + y cos φ . { x ′ = x cos φ + y sin φ y ′ = − x sin φ + y cos φ .

(b) Show that the distance of point P to the origin is invariant under rotations of the coordinate system. Here, you have to show that

x 2 + y 2 = x ′ 2 + y ′ 2 . x 2 + y 2 = x ′ 2 + y ′ 2 .

(c) Show that the distance between points P and Q is invariant under rotations of the coordinate system. Here, you have to show that

( x P − x Q ) 2 + ( y P − y Q ) 2 = ( x P − x Q ) 2 + ( y P − y Q ) 2 =
( x ' P − x ' Q ) 2 + ( y ' P − y ' Q ) 2 . ( x ' P − x ' Q ) 2 + ( y ' P − y ' Q ) 2 .
Citation/Attribution
Reuse and redistribution of this content in digital or print format:
  • This book may not be used in the training of large language models or otherwise be ingested into large language models or generative AI offerings without OpenStax's prior written permission.
  • This book uses the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike License, which means that you can reuse and modify the material only for noncommercial purposes, must attribute OpenStax, and must distribute any derivative works under the same license.
  • Any commercial printing of this textbook, including using a local or custom printer, must be approved by OpenStax, and proper citation provided.
  • OpenStax-copyrighted images, activities, assessments, and similar components of this book are subject to the same licensing – CC-BY-NC-SA. They can be used for noncommercial purposes with attribution. Commercial use requires permission.
  • Permission requests: Anyone who intends to incorporate this content (including text, images, and other components) into large language models, use it in AI offerings, use it commercially (including in print), and/or has questions about another use case is welcome to complete our reuse request form.
Attribution information
  • If you are redistributing all or part of this book in a noncommercial print format, then you must include on every physical page the following attribution:

    Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/university-physics-volume-1/pages/1-introduction

  • If you are redistributing all or part of this book in a noncommercial digital format, then for every page that includes OpenStax content, you must license the derivative work under the same CC-BY-NC-SA license as the original, and include on every digital page view the following attribution:

    Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/university-physics-volume-1/pages/1-introduction

Citation information

The information below includes the information needed to generate citations in most major styles (APA, MLA, etc.); you must reformat and organize the information as needed to fit the requirements of the style. Use the information below to generate a citation. We recommend using a citation tool such as this one.

© Jun 11, 2026 OpenStax. Textbook content produced by OpenStax is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike License. The OpenStax name, OpenStax logo, OpenStax book covers, OpenStax CNX name, and OpenStax CNX logo, and Rice University name, and Rice University logo trademarks, or wordmarks are not subject to the Creative Commons license and may not be reproduced without the prior and express written consent of Rice University.