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If hat(e(1)) and hat(e(2)) are two unit...

If `hat(e_(1))` and ` hat(e_(2))` are two unit vectors such that `vec(e_(1)) - vec(e_(2))` is also a unit vector , then find the angle `theta` between `hat(e_(1))` and `hat(e_(2))`.

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To solve the problem, we need to find the angle \( \theta \) between two unit vectors \( \hat{e_1} \) and \( \hat{e_2} \) given that \( \vec{e_1} - \vec{e_2} \) is also a unit vector. ### Step-by-Step Solution: 1. **Understanding the Given Information**: - We know that both \( \hat{e_1} \) and \( \hat{e_2} \) are unit vectors. This means: \[ |\hat{e_1}| = 1 \quad \text{and} \quad |\hat{e_2}| = 1 \] - We are also given that \( |\vec{e_1} - \vec{e_2}| = 1 \) (since \( \vec{e_1} - \vec{e_2} \) is a unit vector). 2. **Using the Magnitude Condition**: - The magnitude of the difference of two vectors can be expressed using the dot product: \[ |\vec{e_1} - \vec{e_2}|^2 = (\vec{e_1} - \vec{e_2}) \cdot (\vec{e_1} - \vec{e_2}) \] - Expanding this, we get: \[ |\vec{e_1}|^2 - 2 \vec{e_1} \cdot \vec{e_2} + |\vec{e_2}|^2 \] 3. **Substituting the Magnitudes**: - Since \( |\vec{e_1}|^2 = 1 \) and \( |\vec{e_2}|^2 = 1 \): \[ 1 - 2 \vec{e_1} \cdot \vec{e_2} + 1 = 1 \] - This simplifies to: \[ 2 - 2 \vec{e_1} \cdot \vec{e_2} = 1 \] 4. **Rearranging the Equation**: - Rearranging gives: \[ 2 \vec{e_1} \cdot \vec{e_2} = 2 - 1 \] - Thus: \[ 2 \vec{e_1} \cdot \vec{e_2} = 1 \] - Dividing both sides by 2: \[ \vec{e_1} \cdot \vec{e_2} = \frac{1}{2} \] 5. **Relating Dot Product to Angle**: - The dot product of two vectors can also be expressed in terms of the angle \( \theta \) between them: \[ \vec{e_1} \cdot \vec{e_2} = |\vec{e_1}| |\vec{e_2}| \cos \theta \] - Since both vectors are unit vectors, this simplifies to: \[ \vec{e_1} \cdot \vec{e_2} = 1 \cdot 1 \cdot \cos \theta = \cos \theta \] - Therefore, we have: \[ \cos \theta = \frac{1}{2} \] 6. **Finding the Angle \( \theta \)**: - The angle \( \theta \) for which \( \cos \theta = \frac{1}{2} \) is: \[ \theta = \cos^{-1}\left(\frac{1}{2}\right) \] - This corresponds to: \[ \theta = 60^\circ \quad \text{or} \quad \theta = \frac{\pi}{3} \text{ radians} \] ### Final Answer: The angle \( \theta \) between the unit vectors \( \hat{e_1} \) and \( \hat{e_2} \) is \( 60^\circ \) or \( \frac{\pi}{3} \) radians.
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