Home
Class 12
PHYSICS
Two vectors veca and vecb add to give a ...

Two vectors `veca` and `vecb` add to give a resultant `vecc=veca+vecb`. In which of these cases angle between `veca` and `vecb` is maximum: (a,b,c represent the magnitudes of respective vectors )

A

`c=a+b`

B

`c^(2)=a^(2)+b^(2)`

C

`c=a-b`

D

can not be determined.

Text Solution

AI Generated Solution

The correct Answer is:
To determine the case in which the angle between the two vectors \(\vec{a}\) and \(\vec{b}\) is maximum, we can analyze the given conditions using vector addition and the cosine rule. Let's break down the solution step by step. ### Step 1: Understand the vector addition We have two vectors \(\vec{a}\) and \(\vec{b}\) that add to give a resultant vector \(\vec{c}\): \[ \vec{c} = \vec{a} + \vec{b} \] We want to find the angle \(\theta\) between \(\vec{a}\) and \(\vec{b}\) for different cases. ### Step 2: Square both sides Squaring both sides of the equation gives: \[ \vec{c} \cdot \vec{c} = (\vec{a} + \vec{b}) \cdot (\vec{a} + \vec{b}) \] This can be expanded using the dot product: \[ c^2 = a^2 + b^2 + 2 \vec{a} \cdot \vec{b} \] ### Step 3: Use the dot product formula The dot product \(\vec{a} \cdot \vec{b}\) can be expressed as: \[ \vec{a} \cdot \vec{b} = |\vec{a}| |\vec{b}| \cos \theta = ab \cos \theta \] Substituting this into our equation gives: \[ c^2 = a^2 + b^2 + 2ab \cos \theta \] ### Step 4: Analyze the given cases We will analyze three cases based on the options provided: 1. **Case A**: \(c = a + b\) - Here, \(\theta = 0^\circ\) (the vectors are in the same direction). - Substituting \(\theta = 0\): \[ c^2 = a^2 + b^2 + 2ab \cdot 1 = (a + b)^2 \] 2. **Case B**: \(c^2 = a^2 + b^2\) - This occurs when \(\theta = 90^\circ\) (the vectors are perpendicular). - Substituting \(\theta = 90^\circ\): \[ c^2 = a^2 + b^2 + 2ab \cdot 0 = a^2 + b^2 \] 3. **Case C**: \(c = a - b\) - This occurs when \(\theta = 180^\circ\) (the vectors are in opposite directions). - Substituting \(\theta = 180^\circ\): \[ c^2 = a^2 + b^2 + 2ab \cdot (-1) = a^2 + b^2 - 2ab = (a - b)^2 \] ### Step 5: Determine the maximum angle From the analysis: - In Case A, \(\theta = 0^\circ\) - In Case B, \(\theta = 90^\circ\) - In Case C, \(\theta = 180^\circ\) The maximum angle between the vectors \(\vec{a}\) and \(\vec{b}\) occurs in Case C, where \(\theta = 180^\circ\). ### Conclusion Thus, the angle between \(\vec{a}\) and \(\vec{b}\) is maximum in Case C, where \(c = a - b\).
Promotional Banner

Topper's Solved these Questions

  • UNIT & DIMENSIONS, BASIC MATHS AND VECTOR

    ALLEN|Exercise Exercise (O-1) Multiple Correct Type Questions.|3 Videos
  • UNIT & DIMENSIONS, BASIC MATHS AND VECTOR

    ALLEN|Exercise Exercise (O-1) ComprehensionType Questions.|3 Videos
  • UNIT & DIMENSIONS, BASIC MATHS AND VECTOR

    ALLEN|Exercise Exercise (S-2)|7 Videos
  • TEST PAPERS

    ALLEN|Exercise MATHS|14 Videos
  • WAVE OPTICS

    ALLEN|Exercise Exercise 2 (Previous Year Questions)|7 Videos

Similar Questions

Explore conceptually related problems

If vecA+ vecB = vecC and A+B+C=0 , then the angle between vecA and vecB is :

If vecA+ vecB = vecC and A+B+C=0 , then the angle between vecA and vecB is :

The two vectors vecA and vecB are drawn from a common point and vecC=vecA+vecB . Then, the angle between vecA and vecB is

If veca" and "vecb are any two vectors such |veca+vecb|=|veca-vecb| find the angle between veca" and "vecb

If three unit vectors veca, vecb and vecc " satisfy" veca+vecb+vecc= vec0 . Then find the angle between veca and vecb .

A magnitude of vector vecA,vecB and vecC are respectively 12, 5 and 13 units and vecA+vecB=vecC then the angle between vecA and vecB is

The magnitudes of vectors vecA,vecB and vecC are 3,4 and 5 units respectively. If vecA+vecB= vecC , the angle between vecA and vecB is

Let veca and vecb are two vectors inclined at an angle of 60^(@) , If |veca|=|vecb|=2 ,the the angle between veca and veca + vecb is

Let vea, vecb and vecc be unit vectors such that veca.vecb=0 = veca.vecc . It the angle between vecb and vecc is pi/6 then find veca .

If veca and vecb are two vectors of magnitude 1 inclined at 120^(@) , then find the angle between vecb and vecb-veca .

ALLEN-UNIT & DIMENSIONS, BASIC MATHS AND VECTOR -Exercise (O-1) Single Correct Type Questions.
  1. The resultant of two forces,one double the other in magnitude,is perpe...

    Text Solution

    |

  2. The resultant of two forces acting an anlge of 120^(@) is 10 kg wt and...

    Text Solution

    |

  3. If the resultannt of two forces of magnitudes P and Q acting at a poni...

    Text Solution

    |

  4. There are two forces vector,one of 5N and other of 12N. At what angle ...

    Text Solution

    |

  5. A body placed in free space, is simultaneously acted upon by three for...

    Text Solution

    |

  6. The ratio of maximum and minimum magnitude of the resultant of two vec...

    Text Solution

    |

  7. Two vectors veca and vecb add to give a resultant vecc=veca+vecb. In w...

    Text Solution

    |

  8. If the angle between the unit vectors hata " and " hatb is 60^(@), the...

    Text Solution

    |

  9. A man moves towards 3m north then 4 m towards east and finally 5 m tow...

    Text Solution

    |

  10. The projection of a vector vec(r )=3hat(i)+hat(j)+2hat(k) on the x-y p...

    Text Solution

    |

  11. A bird moves from point (1, -2) to (4, 2) . If the speed of the bird i...

    Text Solution

    |

  12. Personnel at an air post control tower track a UFO. At 11:02 am it was...

    Text Solution

    |

  13. A person pushes a box kept on a horizontal surface with force of 100 N...

    Text Solution

    |

  14. For the given vector vec(A)=3hat(i)+4hat(j)+10hat(k), the ratio of mag...

    Text Solution

    |

  15. Just after firing, a bullet is found to move at an angle of 37^(@) to ...

    Text Solution

    |

  16. In a methane (CH(4) molecule each hydrogen atom is at a corner of a re...

    Text Solution

    |

  17. If veca and vecb are two unit vectors such that veca+2vecb and 5veca-4...

    Text Solution

    |

  18. The velocity of a particle is v=6hati+2hatj-2hatk The component of the...

    Text Solution

    |

  19. A particle moves from position 3hati+2hatj-6hatk to 14hati+13hatj+9hat...

    Text Solution

    |

  20. Which of the following is perpendicular to hati-hatj-hatk?

    Text Solution

    |