Q.Find the vectors of magnitude 103 that are perpendicular to the plane which contains 2i^+j^+k^ and 3i^+4j^+k^.
Concept understanding — Vector (Cross) Product
Vector (Cross) Product
The vector product of two vectors A and B is a vector
A×B=∣A∣∣B∣sinθ n^,
whose magnitude is ABsinθ (θ the angle between them) and whose direction n^ is perpendicular to the plane of A and B, given by the right‑hand rule.
Key properties: it is anti‑commutative, A×B=−B×A, so the two products point in opposite directions (angle 180∘ between them); the cross product of parallel or anti‑parallel vectors is the null vector (sin0=0); and it is maximum for perpendicular vectors. In components,
A×B=i^AxBxj^AyByk^AzBz.
Dividing A×B by its magnitude gives the unit vector perpendicular to both. The cross product defines torque, angular momentum, magnetic force and area vectors.
The vector (cross) product is foundational to both the Class 11-12 Mathematics vectors chapter and the Class 11 Physics treatment of torque and angular momentum, commonly searched as "vector cross product formula and examples" or "cross product important questions class 12". Its anti-commutative property and use in finding a unit vector perpendicular to two given vectors are frequently tested in board exams and JEE Main.
Cross the two given vectors, normalise, then scale to magnitude 103.
±35103(−3i^+j^+5k^) (equivalently ±72105(−3i^+j^+5k^)).
Step 1. u=2i^+j^+k^=(2,1,1), v=3i^+4j^+k^=(3,4,1).
Step 2. u×v=i^23j^14k^11=i^(1⋅1−1⋅4)−j^(2⋅1−1⋅3)+k^(2⋅4−1⋅3)=−3i^+j^+5k^.
Step 3. ∣u×v∣=9+1+25=35.
Step 4. Unit vector perpendicular to the plane: 35−3i^+j^+5k^.
Step 5. Scaling to magnitude 103: the required vectors are ±35103(−3i^+j^+5k^).
±35103(−3i^+j^+5k^).
Cross product of the two given vectors gives a normal to their plane; scale it to the required magnitude.
- Forgetting both + and − directions satisfy 'perpendicular to the plane'.
- Scaling by 103 directly instead of first dividing by ∣u×v∣.
Showing the 12 most recent of 20 on this concept.
- CBSE 2026Set A1 markMCQQ.i×k=(a) 1(b) k(c) j(d) −j
›Reveal solutionSolution
i×k=−j.
The cyclic order gives i×j=k, j×k=i, k×i=j. Reversing the last one:
i×k=−(k×i)=−j.
✓Final answer(d) −j.
- CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.Find the value of (2i^+3j^)×(i^+2j^)(a) i^(b) j^(c) k^(d) None of these
›Reveal solutionSolution
Compute the cross product using the determinant formula; since both vectors have zero k^-component, only the k^ term survives.
(2i^+3j^)×(i^+2j^)=i^21j^32k^00
=i^(3⋅0−0⋅2)−j^(2⋅0−0⋅1)+k^(2⋅2−3⋅1)
=0i^−0j^+(4−3)k^=k^.
✓Final answer(c) k^.
- CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.If ∣a∣=13, ∣b∣=5 and a⋅b=60∘, then ∣a×b∣ is:(a) 45(b) 15(c) 25(d) 35
›Reveal solutionSolution
With a⋅b=60, ∣a∣=13, ∣b∣=5, we get cosθ=60/65=12/13, so sinθ=5/13, giving ∣a×b∣=65×5/13=25.
Given ∣a∣=13, ∣b∣=5, and a⋅b=60 (this is read as the dot-product value between the two vectors, since a dot product cannot equal an angle in degrees).
Since a⋅b=∣a∣∣b∣cosθ: 60=13×5×cosθ=65cosθ⇒cosθ=6560=1312.
Since cosθ=12/13, this corresponds to a 5-12-13 right triangle, so sinθ=135 (taking θ acute, sinθ>0).
∣a×b∣=∣a∣∣b∣sinθ=13×5×135=25.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (c) 25.
- CBSE 2025Set E1 markMCQQ.(i×j)+(i×i)=(a) 2(b) 1(c) k(d) −k
›Reveal solutionSolution
The cross product of a vector with itself is zero, so the result is k.
By the cyclic rule i×j=k, and any vector crossed with itself is the zero vector, so i×i=0.
(i×j)+(i×i)=k+0=k.
✓Final answer(C) k.
- CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.If |a⃗|=4, |b⃗|=2√3, |a⃗×b⃗|=12 then the angle between the vectors a⃗ and b⃗ is(a) π/3(b) π/6(c) π/4(d) π/2
›Reveal solutionSolution
Use ∣a×b∣=∣a∣∣b∣sinθ to solve for θ.
The magnitude of the cross product satisfies ∣a×b∣=∣a∣∣b∣sinθ, where θ is the angle between the vectors.
12=(4)(23)sinθ=83sinθ
sinθ=8312=233=23
This gives θ=π/3 or 2π/3; among the given options, π/3 is listed.
✓Final answerThe angle between a and b is π/3 (option a).
- CBSE 2024Set D1 markMCQQ.(i+3j−2k)×(−i+3k)=(a) 9i−j+3k(b) 9i+j−3k(c) i−j+3k(d) i+j−3k
›Reveal solutionSolution
Evaluate the determinant form of the cross product.
With a=(1,3,−2) and b=(−1,0,3):
a×b=i1−1j30k−23.
i: (3)(3)−(−2)(0)=9; j: −[(1)(3)−(−2)(−1)]=−(3−2)=−1; k: (1)(0)−(3)(−1)=3.
So the result is 9i−j+3k.
✓Final answer(A) 9i−j+3k
- CBSE 2024Set D1 markMCQQ.k×j=(a) −j(b) j(c) 0(d) k
›Reveal solutionSolution
By the right-hand rule k×j=−i; none of the four printed options matches this, so the question as printed is defective.
Using the cyclic rule i×j=k, j×k=i, k×i=j, and the anti-commutativity b×a=−(a×b):
k×j=−(j×k)=−i.
The printed options are −j, j, 0, k — none equals −i. Honestly reporting per the marking guidance: the correct value is −i and the option set is incomplete/mis-transcribed, so no listed choice can be marked correct.
✓Final answerCorrect value: k×j=−i — NOT present among options (a)–(d). The printed options are defective.
- CBSE 2024Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.k^×j^=(a) i^(b) −i^(c) j^(d) 0
›Reveal solutionSolution
The standard cyclic products are î×ĵ=k̂, ĵ×k̂=î, k̂×î=ĵ; reversing any pair flips the sign.
Since j^×k^=i^ (cyclic order), reversing the order gives k^×j^=−(j^×k^)=−i^.
✓Final answer(b) −i^.
- CBSE 2023Set E1 markMCQQ.j×i=(a) k(b) −k(c) 0(d) 1
›Reveal solutionSolution
j×i=−k.
The cyclic rule gives i×j=k. Reversing the order changes the sign:
j×i=−(i×j)=−k.
✓Final answer(B) −k.
- CBSE 2023Set E1 markMCQQ.(3k−7i)×2k=(a) −14j(b) 14j(c) 11i−2k(d) 2k−11i
›Reveal solutionSolution
Using k×k=0 and i×k=−j, the product is 14j.
Distribute the cross product:
(3k−7i)×2k=6(k×k)−14(i×k).
Use the standard results k×k=0 and i×k=−j:
=6⋅0−14(−j)=14j.
✓Final answer(b) 14j.
- CBSE 2023Set E1 markMCQQ.(10i+j+k)×(−4i+7j−11k)=(a) −18i+106j+74k(b) 18i−106j−74k(c) 18i+106j+74k(d) 5i−6j−7k
›Reveal solutionSolution
Evaluating the determinant gives −18i+106j+74k.
Compute
(10i+j+k)×(−4i+7j−11k)=i10−4j17k1−11.
i-component: (1)(−11)−(1)(7)=−11−7=−18.
j-component: −[(10)(−11)−(1)(−4)]=−[−110+4]=106.
k-component: (10)(7)−(1)(−4)=70+4=74.
So the product is −18i+106j+74k.
✓Final answer(a) −18i+106j+74k.
- CBSE 2023Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.i^×j^=(a) 0(b) k^(c) −k^(d) none of these
›Reveal solutionSolution
This is one of the fundamental unit-vector cross-product identities.
By the right-hand rule / cyclic order i^→j^→k^→i^: i^×j^=k^.
✓Final answer(b) k^.
🎓Unlock everything free for 14 days
- ✓Full step-by-step solutions
- ✓Concept-first explanations
- ✓Methods, shortcuts & mistakes
- ✓PYQ mapping + timed mock tests
Full access for 14 days. No credit card required.