We read your photo as:

Define the vector u based on the given conditions.

Mathematics

ScanSolve AI Answer

Step-by-step solution

5 steps

To determine the unit vector in the y-z plane that is perpendicular to A⃗=i^+j^+k^\vec{A} = \hat{i} + \hat{j} + \hat{k}, let the required unit vector be u⃗\vec{u}.

  1. Define the vector u⃗\vec{u} based on the given conditions.

    Since the vector is in the y-z plane, its x-component must be 0.
    Let u⃗=yj^+zk^\vec{u} = y\hat{j} + z\hat{k}.

  2. Use the condition that u⃗\vec{u} is a unit vector.

    The magnitude of a unit vector is 1.

    ∣u⃗∣=y2+z2=1|\vec{u}| = \sqrt{y^2 + z^2} = 1

    Squaring both sides gives:

    y2+z2=1(∗)y^2 + z^2 = 1 \quad (*)
  3. Use the condition that u⃗\vec{u} is perpendicular to A⃗\vec{A}.

    If two vectors are perpendicular, their dot product is 0.

    u⃗⋅A⃗=0\vec{u} \cdot \vec{A} = 0 (0i^+yj^+zk^)⋅(i^+j^+k^)=0(0\hat{i} + y\hat{j} + z\hat{k}) \cdot (\hat{i} + \hat{j} + \hat{k}) = 0 (0)(1)+(y)(1)+(z)(1)=0(0)(1) + (y)(1) + (z)(1) = 0 y+z=0y + z = 0

    This implies:

    z=−y(∗∗)z = -y \quad (**)
  4. Solve the system of equations.

    Substitute equation (∗∗)(**) into equation (∗)(*):

    y2+(−y)2=1y^2 + (-y)^2 = 1 y2+y2=1y^2 + y^2 = 1 2y2=12y^2 = 1 y2=12y^2 = \frac{1}{2} y=±12=±12=±22y = \pm \sqrt{\frac{1}{2}} = \pm \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} = \pm \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}
  5. Find the corresponding values for zz and the unit vectors.

    Case 1: If y=22y = \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}
    Using z=−yz = -y, we get z=−22z = -\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}.
    So, the unit vector is u⃗1=22j^−22k^\vec{u}_1 = \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}\hat{j} - \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}\hat{k}.

    Case 2: If y=−22y = -\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}
    Using z=−yz = -y, we get z=−(−22)=22z = -(-\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}) = \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}.
    So, the unit vector is u⃗2=−22j^+22k^\vec{u}_2 = -\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}\hat{j} + \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}\hat{k}.

    Both vectors satisfy the given conditions.

    The unit vectors are 22j^−22k^ and −22j^+22k^\boxed{\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}\hat{j} - \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}\hat{k} \text{ and } -\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}\hat{j} + \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}\hat{k}}.

Was this helpful?

Still stuck on this one?

Ask a follow-up, and the answer starts from this question.

Got a different question?Ask your own question