Chapter 2: Problem 98
Let \(\mathbf{a}\) and \(\mathbf{b}\) be two given perpendicular vectors, which are non-zero. A vector \(\mathbf{r}\) satisfying the equation \(\mathbf{r} \times \mathbf{b}=\mathbf{a}\), can be ............. (a) \(b-\frac{a \times b}{|b|^{2}}\) (b) \(2 \mathrm{~b}-\frac{(\mathrm{a} \times \mathrm{b})}{|\mathrm{b}|^{2}}\) (c) \(|\mathrm{a}| \mathrm{b}-\frac{\mathbf{a} \times \mathbf{b}}{|\mathbf{b}|^{2}}\) (d) \(|\mathbf{b}| \mathbf{b}-\frac{(a \times \mathbf{b})}{|\mathbf{b}|^{2}}\)
Short Answer
Step by step solution
Understanding the Cross Product Equation
Using Vector Identities to Solve for \( \mathbf{r} \)
Determining the Correct Component of \( \mathbf{r} \)
Evaluating Choice (a)
Checking Other Options for Validity
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Perpendicular Vectors
A classic example is the x-axis and y-axis in a two-dimensional plane, which intersect at right angles to each other.
- Key Point: The dot product of two perpendicular vectors is equal to zero.
- Implication: Their mutual perpendicularity ensures that the components do not influence each other directly when calculated through dot products.
- Role in Cross Product: When it comes to the cross product, perpendicular vectors have maximal effect. The resulting vector from their cross product is at maximum magnitude, lying in a direction orthogonal to both original vectors.
Vector Components
- Parallel and Perpendicular Components: Any vector can be expressed as the sum of parallel and perpendicular components with respect to another vector. This decomposition is crucial in understanding and solving vector equations.
- Importance in Solutions: In the original exercise, breaking vectors into components helps determine how vectors match and solve cross product equations.
- Computation: Parallel components align with the direction of the reference vector, whereas perpendicular components are orthogonal to it.
Cross Product Equation
- Notation and Formula: Given two vectors \( \mathbf{a} \) and \( \mathbf{b} \), their cross product is denoted as \( \mathbf{a} \times \mathbf{b} \) and calculated using the determinant of a matrix incorporating unit vectors and the components of \( \mathbf{a} \) and \( \mathbf{b} \).
- Geometric Interpretation: The cross product's magnitude is given by \( |\mathbf{a}| |\mathbf{b}| \sin(\theta) \), where \( \theta \) is the angle between \( \mathbf{a} \) and \( \mathbf{b} \). The result is a vector orthogonal to the original plane of \( \mathbf{a} \) and \( \mathbf{b} \).
- Application in the Exercise: In the exercise, \( \mathbf{r} \times \mathbf{b} = \mathbf{a} \), showcasing that the solution involves adjusting \( \mathbf{r} \) to properly balance its components, ensuring that the cross product accurately produces \( \mathbf{a} \).