First slide
Scalars and Vectors
Question

If the sum of two unit vectors is a unit vector, then find the magnitude of difference of these two vectors

Moderate
Solution

Let n^1 and n^2 are the two unit vectors, then the sum and difference of these two vectors be represented by
n^s=n^1+n^2 and n^d=n^1-n^2ns2=n12+n22+2n1n2cosθ=1+1+2cosθ
Since it is given that ns is also a unit vector, therefore we have
1 = 1+1+ 2 cosθ
cosθ=12θ=120
The difference of the two vectors is given by
n^d=n^1n^2nd2=n12+n222n1n2cosθ=1+12cos(120o)nd2=2212=2+1=3nd=3=1.73

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