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Q.State parallelogram law of vector addition and derive expression for resultant.

Haryana BsehBoard of School Education Haryana (Senior Secondary Part-I / Class 11) 2026Subjective· 3mImportance★★★★★
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Representing A⃗\vec A and B⃗\vec B as adjacent sides of a parallelogram, the diagonal from their common point gives the resultant, with magnitude R=A2+B2+2ABcos⁡θR=\sqrt{A^2+B^2+2AB\cos\theta}.

Statement: If two vectors A⃗\vec A and B⃗\vec B are represented in magnitude and direction by the two adjacent sides of a parallelogram drawn from a common point, then their resultant R⃗=A⃗+B⃗\vec R = \vec A + \vec B is represented, both in magnitude and direction, by the diagonal of the parallelogram passing through that same common point.

Derivation of magnitude and direction: Let A⃗\vec A (side OPOP) and B⃗\vec B (side OQOQ) act at point OO, with angle θ\theta between them. Complete the parallelogram OPSQOPSQ; the diagonal OSOS represents R⃗\vec R.

Drop a perpendicular from SS to the extension of OPOP, meeting it at NN. In the right triangle ONSONS:

  • PS=OQ=BPS = OQ = B (opposite sides of parallelogram are equal), and PSPS makes angle θ\theta with the extension of OPOP.
  • SN=PSsin⁡θ=Bsin⁡θSN = PS\sin\theta = B\sin\theta
  • PN=PScos⁡θ=Bcos⁡θPN = PS\cos\theta = B\cos\theta
  • ON=OP+PN=A+Bcos⁡θON = OP + PN = A + B\cos\theta

By Pythagoras in triangle ONSONS: …

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