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Let a, b, c be unit vectors such that a ...

Let a, b, c be unit vectors such that `a + b + c = 0` which one of the following is correct ?

A

`a xx b = b xx c = c xx a = 0`

B

`a xx b = b xx c = c xx a ne 0`

C

`a xx b = b xx c = a xx c = 0`

D

`a xx b, b xx c, c xxa ` are mutually perpendicular

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The correct Answer is:
To solve the problem, we need to analyze the given condition that \( \mathbf{a} + \mathbf{b} + \mathbf{c} = \mathbf{0} \) where \( \mathbf{a}, \mathbf{b}, \mathbf{c} \) are unit vectors. ### Step-by-step Solution: 1. **Understanding the Condition**: Since \( \mathbf{a}, \mathbf{b}, \mathbf{c} \) are unit vectors, we know that: \[ |\mathbf{a}| = |\mathbf{b}| = |\mathbf{c}| = 1 \] The equation \( \mathbf{a} + \mathbf{b} + \mathbf{c} = \mathbf{0} \) implies that \( \mathbf{c} = -(\mathbf{a} + \mathbf{b}) \). 2. **Taking the Magnitude**: Taking the magnitude of both sides: \[ |\mathbf{c}| = |-(\mathbf{a} + \mathbf{b})| = |\mathbf{a} + \mathbf{b}| \] Since \( |\mathbf{c}| = 1 \): \[ 1 = |\mathbf{a} + \mathbf{b}| \] 3. **Using the Magnitude Formula**: We can use the formula for the magnitude of the sum of two vectors: \[ |\mathbf{a} + \mathbf{b}| = \sqrt{|\mathbf{a}|^2 + |\mathbf{b}|^2 + 2(\mathbf{a} \cdot \mathbf{b})} \] Substituting \( |\mathbf{a}| = 1 \) and \( |\mathbf{b}| = 1 \): \[ 1 = \sqrt{1^2 + 1^2 + 2(\mathbf{a} \cdot \mathbf{b})} \] This simplifies to: \[ 1 = \sqrt{2 + 2(\mathbf{a} \cdot \mathbf{b})} \] 4. **Squaring Both Sides**: Squaring both sides gives: \[ 1 = 2 + 2(\mathbf{a} \cdot \mathbf{b}) \] Rearranging this: \[ 2(\mathbf{a} \cdot \mathbf{b}) = 1 - 2 \] \[ 2(\mathbf{a} \cdot \mathbf{b}) = -1 \] \[ \mathbf{a} \cdot \mathbf{b} = -\frac{1}{2} \] 5. **Conclusion**: The dot product \( \mathbf{a} \cdot \mathbf{b} = -\frac{1}{2} \) indicates that the angle \( \theta \) between \( \mathbf{a} \) and \( \mathbf{b} \) is: \[ \cos \theta = -\frac{1}{2} \implies \theta = 120^\circ \] Therefore, the vectors \( \mathbf{a}, \mathbf{b}, \mathbf{c} \) are mutually inclined at \( 120^\circ \) to each other. ### Final Answer: The correct option is that \( \mathbf{a}, \mathbf{b}, \mathbf{c} \) are mutually inclined at \( 120^\circ \).
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ML KHANNA-ADDITION AND MULTIPLICATION OF VECTORS -Self Assessment Test (MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS)
  1. If a xx b = c, b xx c = a and a, b,c be moduli of the vectors a, b,c...

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  2. Let a-i+j and b=2i-k.The point of intersection of the lines r times a=...

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  3. Let a,b, c be three non-coplanar vectors and r be any vector in space ...

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  4. Let a, b, c be unit vectors such that a + b + c = 0 which one of the f...

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  5. Unit vector vecc is inclined at an angle theta to unit vectors ve...

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  6. If hata,hatb,hatc and hatd are unit vectors such that (hata xx hatb). ...

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  7. If vecu, vecv, vecw are non -coplanar vectors and p,q, are real numbe...

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  8. Let ABCD be a parallelogram such that vec A B= vec q , vec A D= vec p...

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  9. Two vectors a and b are not perpendicular and c and d are two vectors ...

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  10. IF a and b are vectors such that | a + b| = sqrt(29) and a xx (2i+3j+4...

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  11. If the vectors a = i-j+2k, b =2i+4j+k and c=lambdai+j+mu k are mutuall...

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  12. Let P ,Q ,R and S be the points on the plane with position vectors ...

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  13. If a=1/sqrt(10)(3i+k)" and "b=1/7(2i+3j-6k), then the value of (2a-b)....

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  14. Two adjacent sides of a parallelogram ABCD are given by vec(AB)=2hati+...

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  15. The vector(s) which is/are coplanar with vectors hat(i)+hat(j)+2hat(k)...

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  16. If the straight lines (x-1)/(2)=(y+1)/(k)=(z)/(2) and (z+1)/(5)=(y+1)/...

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  17. If a, b and c are unit vectors satisfying |a-b|^(2)+|b-c|^(2)+|c-a|^(2...

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  18. Let vec a=- hat i- hat k , vec b=- hat i+ hat ja n d vec c= hat i+2 h...

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  19. If a and b are vectors in space given by a=(hat(i)-2hat(j))/(sqrt(5)) ...

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  20. The vectors vecAB = 3i + 4k and vecAC = 5i -2j + 4k are the sides of a...

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