Question:

If two vectors \(\vec{A}\) and \(\vec{B}\) are mutually perpendicular, then the component of \(\vec{A}-\vec{B}\) along the direction of \(\vec{A}+\vec{B}\) is:

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For perpendicular vectors, \[ \vec{A}\cdot\vec{B}=0 \] which greatly simplifies dot product and magnitude calculations.
Updated On: Jun 22, 2026
  • \(\sqrt{|\vec{A}|^2+|\vec{B}|^2}\)
  • \(\sqrt{|\vec{A}|^2-|\vec{B}|^2}\)
  • \(\dfrac{|\vec{A}|^2-|\vec{B}|^2}{\sqrt{|\vec{A}|^2+|\vec{B}|^2}}\)
  • \(\dfrac{|\vec{A}|^2+|\vec{B}|^2}{\sqrt{|\vec{A}|^2-|\vec{B}|^2}}\)
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The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Formula for component of a vector along another vector.
The component of vector \[ \vec{P} \] along vector \[ \vec{Q} \] is given by \[ \frac{\vec{P}\cdot \vec{Q}}{|\vec{Q}|} \] Here, \[ \vec{P}=\vec{A}-\vec{B} \] and \[ \vec{Q}=\vec{A}+\vec{B} \] Therefore, the required component is \[ \frac{(\vec{A}-\vec{B})\cdot(\vec{A}+\vec{B})}{|\vec{A}+\vec{B}|} \]

Step 2: Evaluate the numerator.
Using distributive property of dot product, \[ (\vec{A}-\vec{B})\cdot(\vec{A}+\vec{B}) \] \[ =\vec{A}\cdot\vec{A}+\vec{A}\cdot\vec{B}-\vec{B}\cdot\vec{A}-\vec{B}\cdot\vec{B} \] Since vectors \(\vec{A}\) and \(\vec{B}\) are mutually perpendicular, \[ \vec{A}\cdot\vec{B}=0 \] Thus, \[ =|\vec{A}|^2-|\vec{B}|^2 \]

Step 3: Evaluate the denominator.
Now, \[ |\vec{A}+\vec{B}| =\sqrt{(\vec{A}+\vec{B})\cdot(\vec{A}+\vec{B})} \] \[ =\sqrt{|\vec{A}|^2+|\vec{B}|^2+2\vec{A}\cdot\vec{B}} \] Again, since \[ \vec{A}\cdot\vec{B}=0, \] we get \[ |\vec{A}+\vec{B}| =\sqrt{|\vec{A}|^2+|\vec{B}|^2} \]

Step 4: Find the required component.
Therefore, \[ \text{Required component} = \frac{|\vec{A}|^2-|\vec{B}|^2} {\sqrt{|\vec{A}|^2+|\vec{B}|^2}} \]

Step 5: Final conclusion.
Hence, the correct answer is \[ \boxed{ \dfrac{|\vec{A}|^2-|\vec{B}|^2} {\sqrt{|\vec{A}|^2+|\vec{B}|^2}} } \]
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