Question

If the resultant of two velocity vectors of equal magnitude is also of the same magnitude, then which statement must be correct?

Answer 1

The correct option is C) The angle between the vectors is 120°.

Why?

We can solve the problem and find the correct option using the Law of Cosine.

Let A and B, the given two sides and R the resultant (sum),

Then,

$R=A=B$

So, using the law of cosines, we have:

$R^{2}=A^{2}+B^{2}+2ABCos(\alpha)\\ \\A^{2}=A^{2}+A^{2}+2*A*A*Cos(\alpha)\\\\0=A^{2}+2*A^{2}*Cos(\alpha)\\\\Cos(\alpha)=-\frac{A^{2}}{2*A^{2}}=-\frac{1}{2}\\\\\alpha =Cos(-\frac{1}{2})^{-1}=120\°$

Hence, we have that the angle between the vectors is 120°. The correct option is C) The angle between the vectors is 120°

Have a nice day!