Chapter 7: Problem 30
\(\overline{\mathbf{A}}\) and \(\overline{\mathbf{B}}\) are two vectors in the \(x y\) plane that make angles \(\alpha\) and \(\beta\) with the \(x\) axis respectively. Evaluate the scalar product of \(\overrightarrow{\mathbf{A}}\) and \(\overrightarrow{\mathbf{B}}\) and deduce the following trigonometric identity: \(\cos (\alpha-\beta)=\cos \alpha \cos \beta+\sin \alpha \sin \beta\).
Short Answer
Step by step solution
Define Vectors A and B
Compute the Scalar Product
Relate Scalar Product to Cosine of the Angle Between
Equate the Two Expressions for Scalar Product
Conclude the Derivation of the Identity
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Scalar Product
The scalar product of two vectors is a measure of how much one vector extends in the direction of another vector.
- Formula: For vectors \( \overrightarrow{\mathbf{A}} = A_x \hat{i} + A_y \hat{j} \) and \( \overrightarrow{\mathbf{B}} = B_x \hat{i} + B_y \hat{j} \), the scalar product is \( \overrightarrow{\mathbf{A}} \cdot \overrightarrow{\mathbf{B}} = A_x B_x + A_y B_y \).
- Result: A single number, or scalar, that represents the product of the vectors' magnitudes and the cosine of the angle between them.
Vectors in the XY-Plane
A vector describes a quantity with both magnitude and direction. Its components along the x and y axes help to specify its position
- Representation: A typical vector \( \overrightarrow{\mathbf{A}} \) in the xy-plane can be represented as \( A_x \hat{i} + A_y \hat{j} \), where \( \hat{i} \) and \( \hat{j} \) are unit vectors in the x and y directions.
- Magnitude: Given by \( |\overrightarrow{\mathbf{A}}| = \sqrt{A_x^2 + A_y^2} \).
Dot Product
- Mathematical Definition: The dot product for two vectors \( \overrightarrow{\mathbf{A}} \) and \( \overrightarrow{\mathbf{B}} \) is defined as \( \overrightarrow{\mathbf{A}} \cdot \overrightarrow{\mathbf{B}} = |\overrightarrow{\mathbf{A}}||\overrightarrow{\mathbf{B}}|\cos(\theta) \), where \( \theta \) is the angle between \( \overrightarrow{\mathbf{A}} \) and \( \overrightarrow{\mathbf{B}} \).
- Properties: The dot product is commutative, \( \overrightarrow{\mathbf{A}} \cdot \overrightarrow{\mathbf{B}} = \overrightarrow{\mathbf{B}} \cdot \overrightarrow{\mathbf{A}} \), and distributive over vector addition.
Cosine Rule
It emerges naturally when working with the dot product. This relationship helps determine unknown angles and sides in various spatial problems.
- Identity: The cosine identity we derive using vectors is \( \cos(\alpha - \beta) = \cos \alpha \cos \beta + \sin \alpha \sin \beta \), demonstrating how a difference in angles can be represented using individual sines and cosines.
- Application: The cosine rule is used extensively in physics, engineering, and mathematics to solve both theoretical and practical problems involving triangles and forces in two dimensions.