Cross Product Magnitude and Direction Calculation for Vector v and Vector B

  • Thread starter Thread starter togame
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Cross
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The magnitude of the cross product \(\vec{v} \times \vec{B}\) is confirmed to be \(20\sqrt{2}\). The vectors are defined as \(\vec{v}=\left \langle 0,0,20 \right \rangle\) and \(\vec{B}=\left \langle 1,1,0 \right \rangle\). The angle between the two vectors is 90 degrees, but the angle of the resulting vector with respect to the x-axis is 135 degrees. To find the direction of the new vector, it is necessary to compute the cross product explicitly rather than relying solely on angle calculations.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of vector operations, specifically cross products.
  • Familiarity with three-dimensional coordinate systems.
  • Knowledge of trigonometric functions, particularly sine and inverse sine.
  • Ability to apply the right-hand rule for vector direction determination.
NEXT STEPS
  • Calculate the cross product \(\vec{v} \times \vec{B}\) explicitly to determine the resulting vector.
  • Explore the right-hand rule for visualizing vector directions in three dimensions.
  • Study the geometric interpretation of cross products in physics and engineering contexts.
  • Learn how to derive angles between vectors using the dot product for further insights.
USEFUL FOR

Students studying physics or mathematics, particularly those focusing on vector calculus and three-dimensional geometry. This discussion is also beneficial for educators seeking to clarify vector operations and their applications.

togame
Messages
18
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


Find the magnitude of \vec{v} \times \vec{B} and the direction of the new vector.
\vec{v}=\left \langle 0,0,20 \right \rangle
\vec{B}=\left \langle 1,1,0 \right \rangle


Homework Equations


|\vec{v}|=\sqrt{0^2+0^2+20^2}=20
|\vec{B}|=\sqrt{1^2+1^2+0^2}=\sqrt{2}



The Attempt at a Solution


I have found the magnitude as 20\sqrt{2} which I'm pretty sure is right. My main problem is the new angle.
For the angle I have sin\theta=\frac{|\vec{v} \times \vec{B}}{|\vec{v}||\vec{B}|}=\frac{20\sqrt{2}}{20\sqrt{2}}
So the angle should be sin^{-1}(\frac{20\sqrt{2}}{20\sqrt{2}})
But the angle listed as the answer is 135 degrees.
Solving backwards, |\vec{v}||\vec{B}| would need to be 40 and I can't see where this comes from. Any input is greatly appreciated.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
togame said:

Homework Statement


Find the magnitude of \vec{v} \times \vec{B} and the direction of the new vector.
\vec{v}=\left \langle 0,0,20 \right \rangle
\vec{B}=\left \langle 1,1,0 \right \rangle


Homework Equations


|\vec{v}|=\sqrt{0^2+0^2+20^2}=20
|\vec{B}|=\sqrt{1^2+1^2+0^2}=\sqrt{2}



The Attempt at a Solution


I have found the magnitude as 20\sqrt{2} which I'm pretty sure is right. My main problem is the new angle.
For the angle I have sin\theta=\frac{|\vec{v} \times \vec{B}}{|\vec{v}||\vec{B}|}=\frac{20\sqrt{2}}{20\sqrt{2}}
So the angle should be sin^{-1}(\frac{20\sqrt{2}}{20\sqrt{2}})
But the angle listed as the answer is 135 degrees.
Solving backwards, |\vec{v}||\vec{B}| would need to be 40 and I can't see where this comes from. Any input is greatly appreciated.

Yes, the magnitude is 20\sqrt{2}. Though I'm not really sure how you got that. But what angle are you looking for? The angle you are computing is the angle between the two vectors which is 90 degrees. I think they are looking for the angle the new vector makes with respect to the x-axis. To answer I think you need to actually calculate the vector ##\vec{v} \times \vec{B}##.
 
The direction of a vector in three dimensions cannot be given by a single angle.

Is "|u x v|= |u||v|sin(\theta)" and "u x v is perpendicular to both u and v by the right hand rule" the only way you have to find u x v? If u= ai+ bj+ ck and v= di+ ej+ fk then u x v= (bf- ce)i+ (ce- af)j+ (ae- bd)k is often simpler to use.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Replies
20
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
7
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K