Q. If $\overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}}$ and $\overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}}$ are unit vectors, then the vectors $\left( \overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} + \overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}} \right) \times (\overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} \times \overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}})$ is parallel to the vector

A) $\overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} - \overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}}$
B) $\overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} + \overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}}$
C) $2\ \overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} - \overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}}$
D) $2\ \overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} + \overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}}$
Explanation

(a)
$\left( \overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} + \overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}} \right) \times (\overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} \times \overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}})$
$= \overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} \times \left( \overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} \times \overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}} \right) + \overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}} \times \left( \overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} \times \overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}} \right)$
$= \left( \overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} \bullet \overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}} \right)\overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} - \left( \overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} \bullet \overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} \right)\overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}} + \left( \overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}} \bullet \overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}} \right)\overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} - (\overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}} \bullet \overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}})\overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}}$
$= \left( \overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} \bullet \overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}} \right)\overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} - \overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}} + \overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} - (\overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}} \bullet \overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}})\overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}}$
$= \left( \overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} - \overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}} \right)\left( \overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} \bullet \overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}} - 1 \right)$
∴ Given vector is parallel to$\ \left( \overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} - \overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}} \right).$

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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