Source: Extra Practice

If the magnitude of the sum of two non-zero vectors A\vec{A} and B\vec{B} is equal to the magnitude of their difference, what is the angle between the vectors A\vec{A} and B\vec{B}?

Options

Option A

00^\circ

Option B

4545^\circ

Option C is correct

9090^\circ

Option D

180180^\circ

Explanation

Let the two non-zero vectors be A\vec{A} and B\vec{B}, and let θ\theta be the angle between them.

The magnitude of the sum of the two vectors is given by: A+B=A2+B2+2ABcosθ|\vec{A} + \vec{B}| = \sqrt{A^2 + B^2 + 2AB \cos\theta}

The magnitude of the difference of the two vectors is given by: AB=A2+B22ABcosθ|\vec{A} - \vec{B}| = \sqrt{A^2 + B^2 - 2AB \cos\theta}

According to the problem statement, the magnitude of their sum is equal to the magnitude of their difference: A+B=AB|\vec{A} + \vec{B}| = |\vec{A} - \vec{B}|

Squaring both sides to remove the square roots: (A2+B2+2ABcosθ)=(A2+B22ABcosθ)(A^2 + B^2 + 2AB \cos\theta) = (A^2 + B^2 - 2AB \cos\theta)

Now, simplify the equation: A2+B2+2ABcosθ=A2+B22ABcosθA^2 + B^2 + 2AB \cos\theta = A^2 + B^2 - 2AB \cos\theta

Subtract A2+B2A^2 + B^2 from both sides: 2ABcosθ=2ABcosθ2AB \cos\theta = -2AB \cos\theta

Add 2ABcosθ2AB \cos\theta to both sides: 4ABcosθ=04AB \cos\theta = 0

Since A\vec{A} and B\vec{B} are non-zero vectors, their magnitudes AA and BB are not zero. Therefore, for the product 4ABcosθ4AB \cos\theta to be zero, cosθ\cos\theta must be zero. cosθ=0\cos\theta = 0

The angle θ\theta for which cosθ=0\cos\theta = 0 is 9090^\circ (or π/2\pi/2 radians).

Let's analyze why other options are incorrect:

  • If θ=0\theta = 0^\circ, then cosθ=1\cos\theta = 1. The equation becomes 4AB(1)=04AB(1) = 0, which implies A=0A=0 or B=0B=0, contradicting the condition that they are non-zero vectors.
  • If θ=45\theta = 45^\circ, then cosθ=1/2\cos\theta = 1/\sqrt{2}. The equation becomes 4AB(1/2)=04AB(1/\sqrt{2}) = 0, which again implies A=0A=0 or B=0B=0.
  • If θ=180\theta = 180^\circ, then cosθ=1\cos\theta = -1. The equation becomes 4AB(1)=04AB(-1) = 0, which also implies A=0A=0 or B=0B=0.

Thus, the only valid angle for non-zero vectors is 9090^\circ.

The final answer is 90\boxed{90^\circ}.