Q. If $\overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} = \left( \widehat{\dot{\mathbf{i}}} + \widehat{\dot{\mathbf{j}}} + \widehat{\mathbf{k}} \right),\ \overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} \bullet \overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}} = 1\$and$\ \overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} \times \overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}} = \widehat{\dot{\mathbf{j}}} - \widehat{\mathbf{k}},$ then $\overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}}$ is

A) $\widehat{\dot{\mathbf{i}}} - \widehat{\dot{\mathbf{j}}} + \widehat{\mathbf{k}}$
B) $2\widehat{\dot{\mathbf{j}}} - \widehat{\mathbf{k}}$
C) $\widehat{\dot{\mathbf{i}}}$
D) $2\widehat{\dot{\mathbf{i}}}$
Explanation

(c)
$\overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} \bullet \overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} = 1 + 1 + 1 = 3$
Using,
$\overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} \times \left( \overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} \times \overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}} \right) = \left( \overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} \bullet \overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}} \right)\overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} - \left( \overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} \bullet \overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} \right)\overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}}$
$\therefore\left( \widehat{\dot{\mathbf{i}}} + \widehat{\dot{\mathbf{j}}} + \widehat{\mathbf{k}} \right) \times \left( \widehat{\dot{\mathbf{j}}} - \widehat{\mathbf{k}} \right) = \left( \widehat{\dot{\mathbf{i}}} + \widehat{\dot{\mathbf{j}}} + \widehat{\mathbf{k}} \right) - 3\overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}}$
$\Longrightarrow \ - 2\widehat{\dot{\mathbf{i}}} + \widehat{\dot{\mathbf{j}}} + \widehat{\mathbf{k}} = \widehat{\dot{\mathbf{i}}} + \widehat{\dot{\mathbf{j}}} + \widehat{\mathbf{k}} - 3\overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}}$
$\Longrightarrow \ \overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}} = \widehat{\dot{\mathbf{i}}}$

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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