MCQ
Let $\vec{a}$ and $\vec{b}$ be two unit vectors and $\theta$ is the angle between them. Then $\vec{a}+\vec{b}$ is a unit vector if $\theta =$
  • A
    $\frac{ \pi}{2}$
  • B
    $\frac{ \pi}{3}$
  • C
    $\frac{ \pi}{4}$
  • $\frac{2 \pi}{3}$

Answer

Correct option: D.
$\frac{2 \pi}{3}$
d
Let $\vec{a}$ and $\vec{b}$ be two unit vectors and $\theta$ be the angle between them.

Then,  $|\vec{a}|=|\vec{b}|=1$

Now, $\vec{a}+\vec{b}$ is a unit vector if $|\vec{a}+\vec{b}|=1$

$|\vec{a}+\vec{b}|=1$

$\Rightarrow(\vec{a}+\vec{b})^{2}=1$

$\Rightarrow(\vec{a}+\vec{b}) \cdot(\vec{a}+\vec{b})=1$

$\Rightarrow \vec{a} \cdot \vec{a}+\vec{a} \cdot \vec{b}+\vec{b} \cdot \vec{a}+\vec{b}\cdot \vec{b}=1$

$\Rightarrow|\vec{a}|^{2}+2 \vec{a} \cdot \vec{b}+|\vec{b}|^{2}=1$

$\Rightarrow 1^{2}+2|\vec{a}||\vec{b}| \cos \theta+1^{2}=1$

$\Rightarrow 1+2.1 .1 \cos \theta+1=1$

$\Rightarrow \cos \theta=-\frac{1}{2}$

$\Rightarrow \theta=\frac{2 \pi}{3}$

Hence, $\vec{a}+\vec{b}$ is a unit vector if $\theta=\frac{2 \pi}{3}$

The correct answer is $D$.

Need a full question paper?

Generate a complete, print-ready paper with questions like this in minutes — across 16+ boards, with answer keys.

Start Generating Free