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If a⃗\vec{a}, b⃗\vec{b}, c⃗\vec{c} are unit vectors such that a⃗⋅b⃗=a⃗⋅c⃗=0\vec{a} \cdot \vec{b} = \vec{a} \cdot \vec{c} = 0, and the angle between b⃗\vec{b} and c⃗\vec{c} is π6\frac{\pi}{6}, then

Solution

✅ Correct Option: 3

Given a⃗\vec{a}, b⃗\vec{b}, c⃗\vec{c} are unit vectors with ∣a⃗∣=∣b⃗∣=∣c⃗∣=1|\vec{a}| = |\vec{b}| = |\vec{c}| = 1.

From a⃗⋅b⃗=0\vec{a} \cdot \vec{b} = 0, the vector a⃗\vec{a} is perpendicular to b⃗\vec{b}.

From a⃗⋅c⃗=0\vec{a} \cdot \vec{c} = 0, the vector a⃗\vec{a} is perpendicular to c⃗\vec{c}.

The angle between b⃗\vec{b} and c⃗\vec{c} is π6\frac{\pi}{6}.


The cross product b⃗×c⃗\vec{b} \times \vec{c} is perpendicular to both b⃗\vec{b} and c⃗\vec{c}.

Since a⃗\vec{a} is also perpendicular to both b⃗\vec{b} and c⃗\vec{c}, the vectors a⃗\vec{a} and b⃗×c⃗\vec{b} \times \vec{c} are parallel.

Therefore:

a⃗=k(b⃗×c⃗)\vec{a} = k(\vec{b} \times \vec{c})

where kk is a scalar.


The magnitude of the cross product is:

∣b⃗×c⃗∣=∣b⃗∣⋅∣c⃗∣⋅sin⁡θ|\vec{b} \times \vec{c}| = |\vec{b}| \cdot |\vec{c}| \cdot \sin\theta

∣b⃗×c⃗∣=1⋅1⋅sin⁡π6|\vec{b} \times \vec{c}| = 1 \cdot 1 \cdot \sin\frac{\pi}{6}

∣b⃗×c⃗∣=12|\vec{b} \times \vec{c}| = \frac{1}{2}


Taking magnitudes in a⃗=k(b⃗×c⃗)\vec{a} = k(\vec{b} \times \vec{c}):

∣a⃗∣=∣k∣⋅∣b⃗×c⃗∣|\vec{a}| = |k| \cdot |\vec{b} \times \vec{c}|

1=∣k∣⋅121 = |k| \cdot \frac{1}{2}

∣k∣=2|k| = 2

Therefore k=±2k = \pm 2.


a⃗=±2(b⃗×c⃗)\vec{a} = \pm 2(\vec{b} \times \vec{c})

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