Q. Let $\overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} = \widehat{\dot{\mathbf{i}}} + \widehat{\dot{\mathbf{j}}} - \widehat{\mathbf{k}},\ \overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}} = \widehat{\dot{\mathbf{i}}} - \widehat{\dot{\mathbf{j}}} + 3\widehat{\mathbf{k}}\ and\ \overrightarrow{\mathbf{c}}$ be a unit victor perpendicular to $\overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}}$ and coplanar with $\overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}}$ and $\overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}},\$then $\overrightarrow{\mathbf{c}}$ is

A) $\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}(\widehat{\dot{\mathbf{j}}} + \widehat{\mathbf{k}})$
B) $\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}(\widehat{\dot{\mathbf{j}}} - \widehat{\mathbf{k}})$
C) $\frac{1}{\sqrt{6}}(\widehat{\dot{\mathbf{i}}} - 2\widehat{\dot{\mathbf{j}}} + \widehat{\mathbf{k}})$
D) $\frac{1}{\sqrt{6}}(2\widehat{\dot{\mathbf{i}}} - \widehat{\dot{\mathbf{j}}} + \widehat{\mathbf{k}})$
Explanation

(d)
Let $\overrightarrow{\mathbf{c}} = \overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} + \lambda + \overrightarrow{\mathbf{b}} = (1 + \lambda)\widehat{\dot{\mathbf{i}}} + (1 - \lambda)\widehat{\dot{\mathbf{j}}} + (\lambda - 1)\widehat{\mathbf{k}}$
Also, $\overrightarrow{\mathbf{c}} \bullet \overrightarrow{\mathbf{a}} = 0$
$\Longrightarrow \left\lbrack (1 + \lambda)\widehat{\dot{\mathbf{i}}} + (1 - \lambda)\widehat{\dot{\mathbf{j}}} + (\lambda - 1)\widehat{\mathbf{k}} \right\rbrack \bullet \left\lbrack \widehat{\dot{\mathbf{i}}} + \widehat{\dot{\mathbf{j}}} - \widehat{\mathbf{k}} \right\rbrack = 0$
$\Longrightarrow 1 + \lambda + 1 - \lambda - \lambda + 1 = 0$
$\Longrightarrow \ \lambda = 3$
$\therefore\ \ \overrightarrow{\mathbf{c}} = 4\widehat{\dot{\mathbf{i}}} - 2\widehat{\dot{\mathbf{j}}} + 2\widehat{\mathbf{k}}\$
$\Longrightarrow \ \overrightarrow{\mathbf{c}} = \pm \frac{2\widehat{\dot{\mathbf{i}}} - \widehat{\dot{\mathbf{j}}} + \widehat{\mathbf{k}}}{\sqrt{6}}$

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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