Q. If $\overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} = \widehat{\dot{\mathbf{i}}} + 2\widehat{\dot{\mathbf{j}}} - 3\widehat{\mathbf{k}}$ and $\overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}} = 3\widehat{\dot{\mathbf{i}}} - \widehat{\dot{\mathbf{j}}} + 2\widehat{\mathbf{k}},$ then the angle between the vectors $\overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} + \overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}}$ and $\overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} - \overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}}$ is

A) $60{^\circ}$
B) $90{^\circ}$
C) $45{^\circ}$
D) $55{^\circ}$
Explanation

(b)
$\therefore\ \overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} + \overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}} = \widehat{\dot{\mathbf{i}}} + 2\widehat{\dot{\mathbf{j}}} - 3\widehat{\mathbf{k}} + 3\widehat{\dot{\mathbf{i}}} - \widehat{\dot{\mathbf{j}}} + 2\widehat{\mathbf{k}}$
$= 4\widehat{\dot{\mathbf{i}}} + \widehat{\dot{\mathbf{j}}} - \widehat{\mathbf{k}}$
$and\ \overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} - \overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}} = \left( \widehat{\dot{\mathbf{i}}} + 2\widehat{\dot{\mathbf{j}}} - 3\widehat{\mathbf{k}} \right) - \left( 3\widehat{\dot{\mathbf{i}}} - \widehat{\dot{\mathbf{j}}} + 2\widehat{\mathbf{k}} \right)$
$= - 2\widehat{\dot{\mathbf{i}}} + 3\widehat{\dot{\mathbf{j}}} - 5\widehat{\mathbf{k}}$
$\therefore\ \cos{\theta = \frac{\left( \overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} + \overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}} \right) \bullet (\overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} - \overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}})}{|\overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} + \overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}}||\overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} - \overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}}|}}$
$= \frac{\left( 4\widehat{\dot{\mathbf{i}}} + \widehat{\dot{\mathbf{j}}} - \widehat{\mathbf{k}} \right) \bullet ( - 2\widehat{\dot{\mathbf{i}}} + 3\widehat{\dot{\mathbf{j}}} - 5\widehat{\mathbf{k}})}{|4\widehat{\dot{\mathbf{i}}} + \widehat{\dot{\mathbf{j}}} - \widehat{\mathbf{k}}|| - 2\widehat{\dot{\mathbf{i}}} + 3\widehat{\dot{\mathbf{j}}} - 5\widehat{\mathbf{k}}|}$
$= \frac{- 8 + 3 + 5}{\sqrt{16 + 1 + 1}\sqrt{4 + 9 + 25}} = 0$
$\Longrightarrow \ \theta = 90{^\circ}$

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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