If $\vec{a}+\vec{b}+\vec{c}=0,$ show that $\vec{a} \times \vec{b}=\vec{b} \times \vec{c}=\vec{c} \times \vec{a} .$ Interpret the result geometrically.

Vedclass pdf generator app on play store
Vedclass iOS app on app store
(N/A) Given,$\vec{a}+\vec{b}+\vec{c}=0$
$\Rightarrow \vec{b}=-\vec{c}-\vec{a}$
Now,$\vec{a} \times \vec{b}=\vec{a} \times(-\vec{c}-\vec{a})$
$=(\vec{a} \times(-\vec{c}))+(\vec{a} \times(-\vec{a}))$
$=-( \vec{a} \times \vec{c} ) - 0 = \vec{c} \times \vec{a} \ldots (i)$
Also,$\vec{b} \times \vec{c}=(-\vec{c}-\vec{a}) \times \vec{c}$
$=(-\vec{c} \times \vec{c})+(-\vec{a} \times \vec{c})$
$=0 - (\vec{a} \times \vec{c}) = \vec{c} \times \vec{a} \ldots (ii)$
From equations $(i)$ and $(ii)$,we get $\vec{a} \times \vec{b}=\vec{b} \times \vec{c}=\vec{c} \times \vec{a}$.
Geometrical Interpretation:
If $\vec{a}, \vec{b}, \vec{c}$ are the sides of a triangle $ABC$ taken in order,then $\vec{a}+\vec{b}+\vec{c}=0$. The magnitude of the cross product of two vectors represents the area of the parallelogram formed by them. Since $\vec{a} \times \vec{b} = \vec{b} \times \vec{c} = \vec{c} \times \vec{a}$,the areas of the parallelograms formed by any two of these vectors as adjacent sides are equal. This is consistent with the fact that these vectors form a triangle,and the cross products represent twice the area of the triangle formed by the vectors.

Explore More

Similar Questions

$A$ vector with magnitude of $3$ units,which is perpendicular to each of the vectors $\vec{a}=3 \hat{i}+\hat{j}-4 \hat{k}$ and $\vec{b}=6 \hat{i}+5 \hat{j}-2 \hat{k}$,is given by

The vectors are $\bar{a}=2 \hat{i}+\hat{j}-2 \hat{k}$ and $\bar{b}=\hat{i}+\hat{j}$. If $\bar{c}$ is a vector such that $\bar{a} \cdot \bar{c}=|\bar{c}|$ and $|\bar{c}-\bar{a}|=2 \sqrt{2}$,and the angle between $\bar{a} \times \bar{b}$ and $\bar{c}$ is $\frac{\pi}{4}$,then find the value of $|(\bar{a} \times \bar{b}) \times \bar{c}|$.

Let $\bar{a}$,$\bar{b}$,and $\bar{c}$ be unit vectors. Suppose that $\bar{a} \cdot \bar{b} = \bar{a} \cdot \bar{c} = 0$ and the angle between $\bar{b}$ and $\bar{c}$ is $\frac{\pi}{6}$. Then $\bar{a}$ is equal to:

If $|a|=1, |b|=2$ and the angle between $a$ and $b$ is $120^{\circ}$, then ${(a+3b) \times (3a-b)}^2$ is equal to

Let $\vec{a}=2 \hat{i}+\hat{j}-2 \hat{k}$,$\vec{b}=\hat{i}+\hat{j}$ and $\vec{c}$ be a vector such that $|\vec{c}-\vec{a}|=3$. If $\vec{p}=\vec{a} \times \vec{b}$,then the angle between $\vec{p}$ and $\vec{c}$ is $\frac{\pi}{6}$ and $|\vec{p} \times \vec{c}|=3$. Thus,$\vec{a} \cdot \vec{c}$ is equal to:

Vedclass Products

For Students

Vedclass Test Series

Mock tests in real JEE/NEET style with performance analysis. 5-day free trial.

Start Free Trial
For Teachers

Exam Paper Generator

Generate Set A/B/C/D exam papers from 7.5L+ questions in 2 minutes. 3 chapters free.

Try Free
For Institutes

Online Exam Module

Live online exams with unlimited students, 360° analytics & white-label branding.

See Demo