a is perpendicular with \(\underline{\mathrm{b}}\) and \(\underline{\mathrm{c}}\) then (a) \(\underline{\mathrm{a}} \times(\underline{\mathrm{b}} \times \underline{\mathrm{c}})=1\) (b) \(\underline{\mathrm{a}} \times(\underline{\mathrm{b}} \times \underline{\mathrm{c}})=0\) (c) \(\underline{\mathrm{a}} \times(\underline{\mathrm{b}} \times \underline{\mathrm{c}})=-1\) (d) none of these.

Short Answer

Expert verified
(b) \(\underline{\mathrm{a}} \times (\underline{\mathrm{b}} \times \underline{\mathrm{c}}) = 0\)

Step by step solution

01

Recall the properties of cross products

We need to calculate the cross product of vector \(\underline{\mathrm{a}}\) with the cross product of vectors \(\underline{\mathrm{b}}\) and \(\underline{\mathrm{c}}\). To do this, we should recall some important properties of the cross product: 1. The cross product of two vectors is a vector that is orthogonal (perpendicular) to both of the original vectors. 2. The cross product is distributive, i.e., \( \underline{\mathrm{a}} \times (\underline{\mathrm{b}} + \underline{\mathrm{c}}) = \underline{\mathrm{a}} \times \underline{\mathrm{b}} + \underline{\mathrm{a}} \times \underline{\mathrm{c}} \). 3. The cross product is anti-commutative, i.e., \( \underline{\mathrm{a}} \times \underline{\mathrm{b}} = -(\underline{\mathrm{b}} \times \underline{\mathrm{a}}) \).
02

Calculate the cross product of vectors \(\underline{\mathrm{b}}\) and \(\underline{\mathrm{c}}\)

Let's denote the cross product of vectors \(\underline{\mathrm{b}}\) and \(\underline{\mathrm{c}}\) as vector \(\underline{\mathrm{d}}\). From property 1, we know that vector \(\underline{\mathrm{d}}\) is orthogonal to both \(\underline{\mathrm{b}}\) and \(\underline{\mathrm{c}}\): \[ \underline{\mathrm{d}} = \underline{\mathrm{b}} \times \underline{\mathrm{c}} \]
03

Calculate scalar triple product (scalar product of vector \(\underline{\mathrm{a}}\) with vector \(\underline{\mathrm{d}}\))

Now, we want to calculate the cross product of vector \(\underline{\mathrm{a}}\) with vector \(\underline{\mathrm{d}}\). Since \(\underline{\mathrm{d}}\) is orthogonal to both \(\underline{\mathrm{b}}\) and \(\underline{\mathrm{c}}\), and \(\underline{\mathrm{a}}\) is also orthogonal to both \(\underline{\mathrm{b}}\) and \(\underline{\mathrm{c}}\), we can conclude that \(\underline{\mathrm{a}}\) and \(\underline{\mathrm{d}}\) are either parallel or antiparallel. Therefore, their cross product will be a zero vector: \[ \underline{\mathrm{a}} \times (\underline{\mathrm{b}} \times \underline{\mathrm{c}}) = \underline{\mathrm{a}} \times \underline{\mathrm{d}} = \underline{\mathrm{0}} \]
04

Identify the correct answer

The cross product of vector \(\underline{\mathrm{a}}\) with the cross product of vectors \(\underline{\mathrm{b}}\) and \(\underline{\mathrm{c}}\) is the zero vector. Hence, the correct option is: (b) \(\underline{\mathrm{a}} \times (\underline{\mathrm{b}} \times \underline{\mathrm{c}}) = 0\)

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