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Vectors and Equilibrium MCQs for MDCAT Practice

Physics section, Vectors and Equilibrium chapter. Up to eight free sample questions, each with the correct answer and a worked explanation. The full chapter opens in the app.

The bank has 719 active questions on this chapter. Your first 500 practice attempts are free, and every attempt includes a worked explanation.

  1. Question 1
    The expression (1/√2 i + 1/2j) is a
    • unit vector (correct answer)
    • null vector
    • vector of magnitude √2
    • scalar
    Correct answer: A
    This question tests your ability to identify a unit vector by calculating its magnitude. A unit vector has a magnitude of 1.
  2. Question 2
    If displacement of a body is d = 3i, its only significance is:
    Diagram for this question, with no written description.
    • The displacement of 3 units is not along any axis
    • The displacement of 3 units along z-axis
    • The displacement of 3 units along y-axis
    • The displacement of 3 units along x-axis (correct answer)
    Correct answer: D
    Understand how the 'i' unit vector in a displacement vector signifies direction along the positive x-axis.
  3. Question 3
    The magnitude of vectors A, B, C are 3, 4 and 5 units respectively. If A+ B=C then the angle between A and B
    • π/2 (correct answer)
    • cos−1 0.6
    • tan−1 7/5
    • π/4
    Correct answer: A
    This question tests the understanding of vector addition, specifically the relationship between the magnitudes of three vectors when one is the resultant of the other two, and the angle between the added vectors.
  4. Question 4
    The angle between two rectangular components of any vector
    • 0°
    • 30°
    • 40°
    • 90° (correct answer)
    Correct answer: D
    Rectangular vector components are always perpendicular, forming a 90° angle, essential for resolving forces and velocities in physics.
  5. Question 5
    The point at which whole mass of the body is concentrated is called:
    • Centre of gravity
    • Centre of mass (correct answer)
    • Centre of action
    • Centre of body
    Correct answer: B
    The question tests the definition of the point where a body's entire mass can be considered to act, distinguishing it from other related concepts.
  6. Question 6
    Let we have three vectors A , B and C , then according to distributive law:
    Diagram for this question, with no written description.
    • Option A: Vector addition distributes over scalar multiplication (correct answer)
    • Option B: Scalar addition distributes over vector multiplication
    • Option C: Vector multiplication distributes over scalar addition
    • Option D: Scalar multiplication distributes over vector addition
    Correct answer: A
    The distributive law for vectors states that multiplication distributes across vector addition, expressed as A⃗⋅(B⃗+C⃗)=A⃗⋅B⃗+A⃗⋅C⃗\vec{A} \cdot (\vec{B} + \vec{C}) = \vec{A} \cdot \vec{B} + \vec{A} \cdot \vec{C}.
  7. Question 7
    The minimum number of unequal forces whose vector sum can be zero is
    • One
    • Two
    • Three (correct answer)
    • Four
    Correct answer: C
    For a vector sum of forces to be zero, at least three non-collinear, unequal forces are needed, as two forces require equal magnitude and opposite direction to cancel.
  8. Question 8
    In a Cartesian plane, the x-axis is called
    • Z-axis.
    • Vertical axis.
    • Rotational axis.
    • Horizontal axis. (correct answer)
    Correct answer: D
    Understanding the standard orientation of Cartesian axes is fundamental for representing vectors and solving physics problems.

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