Home Physics Vectors Addition and Subtraction of Vectors Let the angle between two nonzero vectors \v…
Physics Vectors Addition and Subtraction of Vectors Single Correct MCQ
Published on: September 12, 2026

Let the angle between two nonzero vectors \vec{A} and \vec{B} be 120° and resultant be \vec{c}

A
\vec{C} must be equal to \(\left|\vec{A} - \vec{B}\right|\)
B
\vec{C} must be less than \(\left|\vec{A} - \vec{B}\right|\)
C
\vec{C} must be greater than \(\left| \vec{A} - \vec{B} \right|\)
D
\vec{C} may be equal to \(\left| \vec{A} - \vec{B} \right|\)

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Text Solution

Verified by Experts
The correct answer is:
A
To solve for the relationship between the vectors, we use the formula for the resultant of two vectors. Given the vectors \( \vec{A} \) and \( \vec{B} \) with an angle \( \theta = 120^\circ \), the magnitude of the resultant \( \vec{R} \) can be found using the formula:
\( R = \sqrt{A^2 + B^2 + 2AB \cos(\theta)} \)
With \( \theta = 120^\circ \), we have \( \cos(120^\circ) = -\frac{1}{2} \). Hence, the equation becomes:
\( R = \sqrt{A^2 + B^2 - AB} \)
We can infer that \( R \) must be equal to the maximum of the two magnitudes (due to the vector's triangle inequality) when \( A \) and \( B \) are equal or when the conditions are met. Therefore, the resultant must not exceed the individual magnitudes, confirming that option A is correct.

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