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Q.Define vector product. Explain the properties of a vector product with two examples.

Andhra Pradesh BieapBIEAP Intermediate Board (1st Year) 2025Subjective· 4mImportance★★★★★
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The vector product of two vectors gives a third vector, perpendicular to the plane of the first two, with magnitude equal to the area of the parallelogram they form.

Definition: The vector (cross) product of two vectors A and B, inclined at angle θ to each other, is defined as:

A × B = (AB sinθ) n̂

where n̂ is a unit vector perpendicular to the plane containing A and B, its direction found using the right-hand rule (curl fingers from A to B, thumb points along n̂).

Properties:

  1. Not commutative: A × B = − (B × A) (the direction reverses on swapping order).
  2. Distributive over addition: A × (B + C) = A × B + A × C.
  3. Magnitude |A × B| = AB sinθ equals the area of the parallelogram formed by A and B as adjacent sides.
  4. The cross product of a vector with itself is zero: A × A = 0 (since θ = 0, sinθ = 0).
  5. For the standard orthonormal unit vectors: i × j = k, j × k = i, k × i = j, and i × i = j × j = k × k = 0.
  6. If A and B are parallel or anti-parallel (θ = 0° or 180°), A × B = 0. …

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