Q. Let, $\overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} = \widehat{\dot{\mathbf{i}}} + 2\widehat{\dot{\mathbf{j}}} + \widehat{\mathbf{k}},\ \ \overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}} = \widehat{\dot{\mathbf{i}}} - \widehat{\dot{\mathbf{j}}} + \widehat{\mathbf{k}}$, $\overrightarrow{\mathbf{c}} = \widehat{\dot{\mathbf{i}}} + \widehat{\dot{\mathbf{j}}} - \widehat{\mathbf{k}}$. A vector coplanar to $\overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}}$ and $\overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}}\$has a projection along $\overrightarrow{\mathbf{c}}\$ of magnitude $\frac{1}{\sqrt{3}},$ then the vector is

A) $4\widehat{\dot{\mathbf{i}}} - \widehat{\dot{\mathbf{j}}} + 4\widehat{\mathbf{k}}$
B) $4\widehat{\dot{\mathbf{i}}} + \widehat{\dot{\mathbf{j}}} - 4\widehat{\mathbf{k}}$
C) $2\widehat{\dot{\mathbf{i}}} + \widehat{\dot{\mathbf{j}}} + \widehat{\mathbf{k}}$
D) None of these
Explanation

(a)
Let $\overrightarrow{\mathbf{r}} = \overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} + t\overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}}$
$\Longrightarrow \ \overrightarrow{\mathbf{r}} = \widehat{\dot{\mathbf{i}}}(1 + t) + \widehat{\dot{\mathbf{j}}}(2 - t) + \widehat{\mathbf{k}}(1 + t)$
Since, The projection of $\overrightarrow{\mathbf{r}}\ on\ \overrightarrow{\mathbf{c}},$
$\frac{\overrightarrow{\mathbf{r}} \bullet \overrightarrow{\mathbf{c}}}{\left| \overrightarrow{\mathbf{c}} \right|} = \frac{|1|}{\left| \sqrt{3} \right|}\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \lbrack given\rbrack$
$\Longrightarrow \ \frac{1 \bullet (1 + t) + 1 \bullet (2 - t) - 1 \bullet (1 + t)}{\sqrt{3}} = \pm \frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}$
$\Longrightarrow 2 - t = \pm 1$
$\Longrightarrow t = 1\ or\ 3$
When, $t = 1,\ \overrightarrow{\mathbf{r}} = 2\widehat{\dot{\mathbf{i}}} + \widehat{\dot{\mathbf{j}}} + 2\widehat{\mathbf{k}}$
When, $t = 3,\ \overrightarrow{\mathbf{r}} = 4\widehat{\dot{\mathbf{i}}} - \widehat{\dot{\mathbf{j}}} + 4\widehat{\mathbf{k}}$

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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