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Motion In A Plane

Question
CBSEENPH11026162

If a vector  2 i^ + 3 j^ + 8 k^  is perpendicular to the vector 4 j^ - 4 i^ + α k^, then the value of α is

  • -1

  • 12

  • -12

  • 1

Solution

C.

-12

Two vectors must be perpendicular if their dot product is zero.

let a = 2i^ + 3j^ +8 k^b = 4 j^ - 4 i^ + αk^     = -4i^ + 4j^ + αk^According to the above hypothesis a  b a . b = 0 2i ^ + 3j^ + 8k^ . -4i^ + 4j^ + αk^ = 0 -8 + 12 +8α = 0 8α = -4α =-48 = -12 

a . b = ab cosθ. Here a and b are always positive as they are the magnitudes as a and b.