IB Physics SL S1.3.2 Vectors and Diagrams Questions

Resolve SL physics vectors and interpret diagrams, calculating resultant velocity and force components with correct direction.

Exam points

resolve vector quantities into horizontal and vertical components and calculate a resultant magnitude and direction
use force diagrams and inclined-plane components to identify normal, frictional and weight relationships
interpret or construct labelled vector diagrams, reporting direction and sign consistently

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Study S1.3.2—Vectors and diagrams conceptsOpen the corresponding Concept lesson for explanations, examples and exam connections.

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A glider is an aircraft with no engine. To be launched, a glider is uniformly accelerated from rest by a cable pulled by a motor that exerts a horizontal force on the glider throughout the launch.

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At a particular instant in the flight the glider is losing 1.00 m of vertical height for every 6.00 m that it goes forward horizontally. At this instant, the horizontal speed of the glider is $12.5 \mathrm{~m} \mathrm{~s}^{-1}$ . Calculate the velocity of the glider. Give your answer to an appropriate number of significant figures.

Quote speed and direction together, to 3 significant figures. Accept a speed and direction together;
the accepted values are:
$\text{speed}=12.7\,\mathrm{m\,s^{-1}}$ $\text{direction}=9.46^{\circ}=0.165\,\mathrm{rad}\text{ below the horizontal}$ $\text{gradient}=-\frac{1}{6}$

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IB Physics SL S1.3.2 Vectors and Diagrams Questions question 1