Vectors Ques 94

  1. (i) If $C$ is a given non-zero scalar and $\overrightarrow{\mathbf{A}}$ and $\overrightarrow{\mathbf{B}}$ be given non-zero vectors such that $\overrightarrow{\mathbf{A}} \perp \overrightarrow{\mathbf{B}}$, then find the vector $\overrightarrow{\mathbf{X}}$ which satisfies the equations $\overrightarrow{\mathbf{A}} \cdot \overrightarrow{\mathbf{X}}=c$ and $\overrightarrow{\mathbf{A}} \times \overrightarrow{\mathbf{X}}=\overrightarrow{\mathbf{B}}$

(ii) $\overrightarrow{\mathbf{A}}$ vector $A$ has components $A _1, A _2, A _3$ in a right-handed rectangular cartesian coordinate system OXYZ. The coordinate system is rotated about the $X$-axis through an angle $\frac{\pi}{2}$. Find the components of $A$ in the new coordinate system, in terms of $A _1, A _2, A _3$.

(1983, 2M)

Show Answer

Solution:

Formula:

Vector Triple Product:

  1. (i) Given, $\overrightarrow{\mathbf{A}} \perp \overrightarrow{\mathbf{B}} \Rightarrow \overrightarrow{\mathbf{A}} \cdot \overrightarrow{\mathbf{B}}=0$

and $\overrightarrow{\mathbf{A}} \times \overrightarrow{\mathbf{X}}=\overrightarrow{\mathbf{B}} \Rightarrow \overrightarrow{\mathbf{A}} \cdot \overrightarrow{\mathbf{B}}=0$ and $\overrightarrow{\mathbf{X}} \cdot \overrightarrow{\mathbf{B}}=0$

Now, $\quad[\overrightarrow{\mathbf{X}} \overrightarrow{\mathbf{A}} \overrightarrow{\mathbf{A}} \times \overrightarrow{\mathbf{B}}]=\overrightarrow{\mathbf{X}} \cdot{\overrightarrow{\mathbf{A}} \times(\overrightarrow{\mathbf{A}} \times \overrightarrow{\mathbf{B}})}$

$$ =\overrightarrow{\mathbf{X}} \cdot{(\overrightarrow{\mathbf{A}} \cdot \overrightarrow{\mathbf{B}}) \overrightarrow{\mathbf{A}}-(\overrightarrow{\mathbf{A}} \cdot \overrightarrow{\mathbf{A}}) \overrightarrow{\mathbf{B}}} $$

$$ =(\overrightarrow{\mathbf{A}} \cdot \overrightarrow{\mathbf{B}})(\overrightarrow{\mathbf{X}} \cdot \overrightarrow{\mathbf{A}})-(\overrightarrow{\mathbf{A}} \cdot \overrightarrow{\mathbf{A}})(\overrightarrow{\mathbf{X}} \cdot \overrightarrow{\mathbf{B}})=0 $$

$\Rightarrow \overrightarrow{\mathbf{X}}, \overrightarrow{\mathbf{A}}, \overrightarrow{\mathbf{A}} \times \overrightarrow{\mathbf{B}}$ are coplanar.

So, $\overrightarrow{\mathbf{X}}$ can be represented as a linear combination of $\overrightarrow{\mathbf{A}}$ and $\overrightarrow{\mathbf{A}} \times \overrightarrow{\mathbf{B}}$. Let us consider, $\quad \overrightarrow{\mathbf{X}}=l \overrightarrow{\mathbf{A}}+m(\overrightarrow{\mathbf{A}} \times \overrightarrow{\mathbf{B}})$

Since,

$$ \overrightarrow{\mathbf{A}} \cdot \overrightarrow{\mathbf{X}}=c $$

$\therefore \overrightarrow{\mathbf{A}} \cdot{l \overrightarrow{\mathbf{A}}+m(\overrightarrow{\mathbf{A}} \times \overrightarrow{\mathbf{B}})}=c$

$\Rightarrow \quad l|\overrightarrow{\mathbf{A}}|^{2}+0=c$

$\Rightarrow \quad l=\frac{c}{|\overrightarrow{\mathbf{A}}|^{2}}$

Also, $\quad \overrightarrow{\mathbf{A}} \times \overrightarrow{\mathbf{X}}=\overrightarrow{\mathbf{B}} \Rightarrow \overrightarrow{\mathbf{A}} \times{l \overrightarrow{\mathbf{A}}+m(\overrightarrow{\mathbf{A}} \times \overrightarrow{\mathbf{B}})}=\overrightarrow{\mathbf{B}}$

$\Rightarrow \quad l(\overrightarrow{\mathbf{A}} \times \overrightarrow{\mathbf{A}})+m{\overrightarrow{\mathbf{A}} \times(\overrightarrow{\mathbf{A}} \times \overrightarrow{\mathbf{B}})}=\overrightarrow{\mathbf{B}}$

$\Rightarrow \quad 0-m|\overrightarrow{\mathbf{A}}|^{2} \overrightarrow{\mathbf{B}}=\overrightarrow{\mathbf{B}}$

$\Rightarrow \quad m=-\frac{1}{|\overrightarrow{\mathbf{A}}|^{2}}$

$\therefore \overrightarrow{\mathbf{X}}=\left(\frac{c}{|\overrightarrow{\mathbf{A}}|^{2}}\right) \overrightarrow{\mathbf{A}}-\left(\frac{1}{|\overrightarrow{\mathbf{A}}|^{2}}\right)(\overrightarrow{\mathbf{A}} \times \overrightarrow{\mathbf{B}})$

(ii) Since, vector $\overrightarrow{\mathbf{A}}$ has components $A _1, A _2, A _3$ in the coordinate system $O X Y Z$.

$\therefore \quad \overrightarrow{\mathbf{A}}=A _1 \hat{\mathbf{i}}+A _2 \hat{\mathbf{j}}+A _3 \hat{\mathbf{k}}$

When the given system is rotated about an angle of $\pi / 2$, the new $X$-axis is along old $Y$-axis and new $Y$-axis is along the old negative $X$-axis , whereas $z$ remains same.

Hence, the components of $A$ in the new system are $\left(A _2,-A _1, A _3\right)$.

$\therefore \quad \overrightarrow{\mathbf{A}}$ becomes $\left(A _2 \hat{\mathbf{i}}-A _1 \hat{\mathbf{j}}+A _3 \hat{\mathbf{k}}\right)$.



sathee Ask SATHEE

Welcome to SATHEE !
Select from 'Menu' to explore our services, or ask SATHEE to get started. Let's embark on this journey of growth together! 🌐📚🚀🎓

I'm relatively new and can sometimes make mistakes.
If you notice any error, such as an incorrect solution, please use the thumbs down icon to aid my learning.
To begin your journey now, click on

Please select your preferred language
कृपया अपनी पसंदीदा भाषा चुनें