two non zero vectors cross product is zero. Then vectors are (a) coplanar (b) equal vectors (c) origin at one point (d) same ending point

Short Answer

Expert verified
The two nonzero vectors with a cross product of zero are coplanar. Therefore, the correct option is (a) coplanar.

Step by step solution

01

Defintion of cross product

Recall that the cross product of two vectors A and B, denoted as A × B, is a vector whose length is equal to the product of the lengths of A and B and the sine of the angle between them (Θ). Also, the cross product is perpendicular to the plane containing A and B. The formula for the magnitude of the cross product is given by: \( |A×B|=|A||B|sin(\Theta) \) If the cross product of two nonzero vectors is zero, then either the magnitude of the vectors or the sine of the angle between them is zero.
02

Analyze the magnitude of the vectors

Since we are given that both the vectors are nonzero, which means their magnitudes are nonzero. Hence, the only remaining possibility for the cross product to be zero is that the sine of the angle between them is zero.
03

Analyze the sine value of the angle

Any two vectors whose angle Θ has a sine value equal to zero must have an angle of either 0 or 180 degrees (0 or π radians). If the angle is 0 degrees, then the vectors are parallel and in the same direction. If the angle is 180 degrees, then the vectors are parallel and in the opposite direction. In both these cases, the vectors are coplanar, meaning they lie in the same plane.
04

Determine the correct option

As we concluded in Step 3, the two nonzero vectors with a cross product of zero are coplanar. Therefore, the correct option is (a) coplanar.

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