If $\vec a, \vec b$ and $\vec c$ be vectors such that $\vec a+\vec b+\vec c=\vec 0, |\vec a| = 3, |\vec b| = 5$ and $|\vec c|= 7$, then the angle between $\vec a$ and $\vec b$ is
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → $\frac{\pi}{3}$
Given: $\vec{a} + \vec{b} + \vec{c} = \vec{0} \Rightarrow \vec{c} = -(\vec{a} + \vec{b})$
Take magnitudes squared:
$|\vec{c}|^{2} = |\vec{a} + \vec{b}|^{2}$
$\Rightarrow c^{2} = a^{2} + b^{2} + 2ab\cos\theta$
Substitute $a=3,\;b=5,\;c=7$
$7^{2} = 3^{2} + 5^{2} + 2(3)(5)\cos\theta$
$49 = 9 + 25 + 30\cos\theta$
$49 - 34 = 30\cos\theta$
$15 = 30\cos\theta$
$\cos\theta = \frac{1}{2}$
$\Rightarrow \theta = 60^{\circ}$
Angle between $\vec{a}$ and $\vec{b}$ is $60^{\circ}$