Published by:
CGP EDU Academic Team
Published on: September 12, 2026
Let the angle between two nonzero vectors \vec{A} and \vec{B} be 120° and resultant be \vec{c}
Text Solution
Verified by ExpertsThe correct answer is:
C
Step-by-step Explanation:
Let $A$ and $B$ be the magnitudes of two non-zero vectors $\vec{A}$ and $\vec{B}$, respectively. Since they are non-zero, $A > 0$ and $B > 0$.
The magnitude of their resultant vector $\vec{C}$ when the angle between them is $\theta = 120^\circ$ is given by:
$$C = \sqrt{A^2 + B^2 + 2AB \cos(120^\circ)}$$
Since $\cos(120^\circ) = -\frac{1}{2}$, substituting this value gives:
$$C = \sqrt{A^2 + B^2 - AB}$$
Squaring both sides:
$$C^2 = A^2 + B^2 - AB$$
Now, consider the square of $|A - B|$:
$$|A - B|^2 = A^2 + B^2 - 2AB$$
Comparing $C^2$ and $|A - B|^2$ by taking their difference:
$$C^2 - |A - B|^2 = (A^2 + B^2 - AB) - (A^2 + B^2 - 2AB) = AB$$
Since $A > 0$ and $B > 0$, the product $AB > 0$.
Therefore:
$$C^2 > |A - B|^2 \implies C > |A - B|$$
Thus, $C$ must be greater than $|A - B|$.
Correct Option: C
Let $A$ and $B$ be the magnitudes of two non-zero vectors $\vec{A}$ and $\vec{B}$, respectively. Since they are non-zero, $A > 0$ and $B > 0$.
The magnitude of their resultant vector $\vec{C}$ when the angle between them is $\theta = 120^\circ$ is given by:
$$C = \sqrt{A^2 + B^2 + 2AB \cos(120^\circ)}$$
Since $\cos(120^\circ) = -\frac{1}{2}$, substituting this value gives:
$$C = \sqrt{A^2 + B^2 - AB}$$
Squaring both sides:
$$C^2 = A^2 + B^2 - AB$$
Now, consider the square of $|A - B|$:
$$|A - B|^2 = A^2 + B^2 - 2AB$$
Comparing $C^2$ and $|A - B|^2$ by taking their difference:
$$C^2 - |A - B|^2 = (A^2 + B^2 - AB) - (A^2 + B^2 - 2AB) = AB$$
Since $A > 0$ and $B > 0$, the product $AB > 0$.
Therefore:
$$C^2 > |A - B|^2 \implies C > |A - B|$$
Thus, $C$ must be greater than $|A - B|$.
Correct Option: C
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