Q. Let $\overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}},\overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}},\overrightarrow{\mathbf{c}}$ be unit vectors such that $\overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} + \overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}} + \overrightarrow{\mathbf{c}} = 0.$ Which of the following is correct?

A) $\overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} \times \overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}} = \overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}} \times \overrightarrow{\mathbf{c}} = \overrightarrow{\mathbf{c}} \times \overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} = \overrightarrow{\mathbf{0}}$
B) $\overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} \times \overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}} = \overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}} \times \overrightarrow{\mathbf{c}} = \overrightarrow{\mathbf{c}} \times \overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} \neq \overrightarrow{\mathbf{0}}$
C) $\overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} \times \overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}} = \overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}} \times \overrightarrow{\mathbf{c}} = \overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} \times \overrightarrow{\mathbf{c}} = \overrightarrow{\mathbf{0}}$
D) $\overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} \times \overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}},\overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}} \times \overrightarrow{\mathbf{c}},\overrightarrow{\mathbf{c}} \times \overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}}$ are mutually perpendicular
Explanation

(b)
Given $\overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} + \overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}} + \overrightarrow{\mathbf{c}} = \overrightarrow{\mathbf{0}}$
$\Longrightarrow \ \overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} \times \overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} + \overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} \times \overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}} + \overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} \times \overrightarrow{\mathbf{c}} = 0$
$\Longrightarrow \ \overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} \times \overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}} = \overrightarrow{\mathbf{c}} \times \overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}}$
Similarly, $\overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}} \times \overrightarrow{\mathbf{c}} = \overrightarrow{\mathbf{c}} \times \overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}}$
$\therefore\ \overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} \times \overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}} = \overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}} \times \overrightarrow{\mathbf{c}} = \overrightarrow{\mathbf{c}} \times \overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} \neq \overrightarrow{\mathbf{0}}$
Alternate: Since, $\overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}},\overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}},\overrightarrow{\mathbf{c}}$ are unit vectors and $\overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} + \overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}} + \overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} + \overrightarrow{\mathbf{c}} = \overrightarrow{\mathbf{0}},$
so $\overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}},\overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}},\overrightarrow{\mathbf{c}}$ represent an equilateral triangle.
$\mathbf{\therefore\ \ }\overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} \times \overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}} = \overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}} \times \overrightarrow{\mathbf{c}} = \overrightarrow{\mathbf{c}} \times \overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} \neq \overrightarrow{\mathbf{0}}$

Dr. Abubacker
Reviewed by Dr. Abubacker

Physics Educator & NEET/JEE Specialist

Ph.D. in Physics with 19+ years of teaching experience.

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