Angle between vectors A and B – Rankers Physics
Topic: Kinematics
Subtopic: 1. Distance and Displacement

Angle between vectors A and B

The magnitude of vectors \(\vec{A},\vec{B}\) and \(\vec{C}\) are 3, 4 and 5 units respectively. If \(\vec{A} + \vec{B} = \vec{C}\) , the angle between \(\vec{A}\) and \(\vec{B}\) is:

(1988)

\(\pi/2\)
\(cos^{-1} (0.6)\)
\(tan^{-1} (7/5)\)
\(\pi/4\)

Solution:

Given \(|\vec{A}|=3, |\vec{B}|=4, |\vec{C}|=5\) and \(\vec{A} + \vec{B} = \vec{C}\). Squaring both sides: \(|\vec{A} + \vec{B}|^2 = |\vec{C}|^2\). \(|\vec{A}|^2 + |\vec{B}|^2 + 2|\vec{A}||\vec{B}|cos\theta = |\vec{C}|^2\). Substituting values: \(3^2 + 4^2 + 2(3)(4)cos\theta = 5^2\) which gives \(9 + 16 + 24cos\theta = 25\). Thus, \(24cos\theta = 0\) and \(\theta = \pi/2\).

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