If $\hat{i}+\hat{j}+\hat{k}, 2 \hat{i}+5 \hat{j}, 3 \hat{i}+2 \hat{j}-3 \hat{k}$ and $\hat{i}-6 \hat{j}-\hat{k}$ are the position vectors of points $A, B, C$ and $D$ respectively,then find the angle between $\overrightarrow{AB}$ and $\overrightarrow{CD}$. Deduce that $\overrightarrow{AB}$ and $\overrightarrow{CD}$ are collinear.

Vedclass pdf generator app on play store
Vedclass iOS app on app store
(D) Let $\theta$ be the angle between $\overrightarrow{AB}$ and $\overrightarrow{CD}$.
First,calculate the vectors:
$\overrightarrow{AB} = (2\hat{i} + 5\hat{j}) - (\hat{i} + \hat{j} + \hat{k}) = \hat{i} + 4\hat{j} - \hat{k}$
$\overrightarrow{CD} = (\hat{i} - 6\hat{j} - \hat{k}) - (3\hat{i} + 2\hat{j} - 3\hat{k}) = -2\hat{i} - 8\hat{j} + 2\hat{k}$
Calculate the magnitudes:
$|\overrightarrow{AB}| = \sqrt{1^2 + 4^2 + (-1)^2} = \sqrt{1 + 16 + 1} = \sqrt{18} = 3\sqrt{2}$
$|\overrightarrow{CD}| = \sqrt{(-2)^2 + (-8)^2 + 2^2} = \sqrt{4 + 64 + 4} = \sqrt{72} = 6\sqrt{2}$
Calculate the dot product:
$\overrightarrow{AB} \cdot \overrightarrow{CD} = (1)(-2) + (4)(-8) + (-1)(2) = -2 - 32 - 2 = -36$
Calculate the angle $\cos \theta$:
$\cos \theta = \frac{\overrightarrow{AB} \cdot \overrightarrow{CD}}{|\overrightarrow{AB}| |\overrightarrow{CD}|} = \frac{-36}{(3\sqrt{2})(6\sqrt{2})} = \frac{-36}{18 \times 2} = \frac{-36}{36} = -1$
Since $\cos \theta = -1$,we have $\theta = \pi$.
Since the angle between the vectors is $\pi$,the vectors are collinear (specifically,they are in opposite directions). Alternatively,$\overrightarrow{CD} = -2(\hat{i} + 4\hat{j} - \hat{k}) = -2\overrightarrow{AB}$,which confirms they are collinear.

Explore More

Similar Questions

Let $\vec{a}$ be a vector in the plane containing vectors $\vec{b}=\hat{i}+2 \hat{j}+\hat{k}$ and $\vec{c}=2 \hat{i}-\hat{j}+\hat{k}$. If $\vec{a}$ is perpendicular to $\hat{i}+\hat{j}+3 \hat{k}$ and its projection on $\vec{b}$ is $3 \sqrt{6}$, then $|\vec{a}|^2=$

If the position vectors of $A$ and $B$ are $6i + j - 3k$ and $4i - 3j - 2k$ respectively,then the work done by the force $\vec{F} = i - 3j + 5k$ in displacing a particle from $A$ to $B$ is ............ $units$.

Let $\vec{a}, \vec{b}$ and $\vec{c}$ be three vectors such that $|\vec{a}|=3, |\vec{b}|=4, |\vec{c}|=5$ and each one of them is perpendicular to the sum of the other two. Find $|\vec{a}+\vec{b}+\vec{c}|$.

Let $b = 4i + 3j$ and $c$ be two vectors perpendicular to each other in the $xy$-plane. All vectors in the same plane having projections $1$ and $2$ along $b$ and $c$ respectively,are given by

If $p \times q = p \times r$ and $p \cdot q = p \cdot r$,then $\ldots . . .$.

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