Question 41 of 68intermediate🔧 ApplyLong Answer4 marks

Show that (a⃗ - b⃗) × (a⃗ + b⃗) = 2(a⃗ × b⃗).

Correct Answer

Let a⃗=a1i^+a2j^+a3k^\vec{a} = a_1\hat{i} + a_2\hat{j} + a_3\hat{k} and b⃗=b1i^+b2j^+b3k^\vec{b} = b_1\hat{i} + b_2\hat{j} + b_3\hat{k}. We need to evaluate the Left Hand Side (LHS) expression (a⃗−b⃗)×(a⃗+b⃗)(\vec{a} - \vec{b}) \times (\vec{a} + \vec{b}).

First, we determine the component forms of the vectors involved using the rules for vector addition and subtraction provided in the context. We have a⃗−b⃗=(a1−b1)i^+(a2−b2)j^+(a3−b3)k^\vec{a} - \vec{b} = (a_1 - b_1)\hat{i} + (a_2 - b_2)\hat{j} + (a_3 - b_3)\hat{k} and a⃗+b⃗=(a1+b1)i^+(a2+b2)j^+(a3+b3)k^\vec{a} + \vec{b} = (a_1 + b_1)\hat{i} + (a_2 + b_2)\hat{j} + (a_3 + b_3)\hat{k}.

Next, we compute the cross product using the determinant form. The expression becomes:

(a⃗−b⃗)×(a⃗+b⃗)=∣i^j^k^a1−b1a2−b2a3−b3a1+b1a2+b2a3+b3∣(\vec{a} - \vec{b}) \times (\vec{a} + \vec{b}) = \begin{vmatrix} \hat{i} & \hat{j} & \hat{k} \\ a_1-b_1 & a_2-b_2 & a_3-b_3 \\ a_1+b_1 & a_2+b_2 & a_3+b_3 \end{vmatrix}

Expanding this determinant, we get: =i^[(a2−b2)(a3+b3)−(a3−b3)(a2+b2)]−j^[(a1−b1)(a3+b3)−(a3−b3)(a1+b1)]+k^[(a1−b1)(a2+b2)−(a2−b2)(a1+b1)]= \hat{i}[(a_2-b_2)(a_3+b_3) - (a_3-b_3)(a_2+b_2)] - \hat{j}[(a_1-b_1)(a_3+b_3) - (a_3-b_3)(a_1+b_1)] + \hat{k}[(a_1-b_1)(a_2+b_2) - (a_2-b_2)(a_1+b_1)].

Simplifying the coefficients algebraically, for i^\hat{i} we get 2(a2b3−a3b2)2(a_2b_3 - a_3b_2). Similarly, for j^\hat{j} we get −2(a1b3−a3b1)-2(a_1b_3 - a_3b_1) and for k^\hat{k} we get 2(a1b2−a2b1)2(a_1b_2 - a_2b_1). Substituting these back, the expression becomes:

=2(a2b3−a3b2)i^−2(a1b3−a3b1)j^+2(a1b2−a2b1)k^= 2(a_2b_3 - a_3b_2)\hat{i} - 2(a_1b_3 - a_3b_1)\hat{j} + 2(a_1b_2 - a_2b_1)\hat{k}

=2[(a2b3−a3b2)i^−(a1b3−a3b1)j^+(a1b2−a2b1)k^]= 2 [(a_2b_3 - a_3b_2)\hat{i} - (a_1b_3 - a_3b_1)\hat{j} + (a_1b_2 - a_2b_1)\hat{k}].

From the context, the term inside the bracket is exactly the expansion of a⃗×b⃗\vec{a} \times \vec{b}. Therefore, LHS = 2(a⃗×b⃗)2(\vec{a} \times \vec{b}), which equals the Right Hand Side (RHS). Hence proved.

Exercise: EXERCISE 10.4 | Q: 4 | (Page 31)
For More Understanding

Explanation

The solution strictly follows the component form and determinant method for cross product provided in the context. Since the distributive property of cross products was not explicitly included in the retrieved text chunks, the proof relies on expanding the vectors into their components (a1,a2...a_1, a_2...) and performing the cross product calculation using the determinant notation. This method is robust and aligns perfectly with the provided textbook examples.

Solution Steps

  1. Step 1: Define vectors a⃗\vec{a} and b⃗\vec{b} in component form and write expressions for (a⃗−b⃗)(\vec{a}-\vec{b}) and (a⃗+b⃗)(\vec{a}+\vec{b}).

  2. Step 2: Set up the cross product determinant using the components derived in Step 1.

  3. Step 3: Expand the determinant to find the coefficients of i^,j^,k^\hat{i}, \hat{j}, \hat{k}.

  4. Step 4: Simplify the algebraic expressions for the coefficients.

  5. Step 5: Factor out the scalar '2' and recognize the remaining term as a⃗×b⃗\vec{a} \times \vec{b}.