Question

Two or more vectors parallel to the same line, irrespective of their magnitude and direction, constitute

• A. Unit vectors
• B. Co-initial vectors
• C. Equal vectors
• D. Collinear vectors

Hint:

Remember the key distinctions in vector terminology. "Collinear" relates to being parallel. "Co-initial" relates to the starting point. "Equal" relates to both magnitude and direction. "Unit" relates to magnitude being one.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question asks for the specific term used to describe vectors that are parallel to the same line. This is a definitional question from vector algebra.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let's analyze the definitions of the given options:

• Unit vectors: These are vectors with a magnitude (or length) of exactly 1. Their direction can be anything. This doesn't fit the description.

• Co-initial vectors: These are vectors that share the same starting point or origin. The question says nothing about the starting point.

• Equal vectors: These are vectors that have both the same magnitude and the same direction. The question explicitly states "irrespective of their magnitude and direction".

• Collinear vectors: By definition, vectors are collinear if they are parallel to the same line. They can have different magnitudes and can point in the same or opposite directions. This perfectly matches the description given in the question. The term "collinear" literally means "on the same line".

Step 3: Final Answer:
The correct term for two or more vectors parallel to the same line, regardless of their magnitude and direction, is "Collinear vectors".