Source: Extra Practice

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

Options

Option A

0∘0^\circ

Option B

45∘45^\circ

Option C is correct

90∘90^\circ

Option D

180∘180^\circ

Explanation

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

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

The magnitude of the difference of the two vectors is given by: ∣A⃗−B⃗∣=A2+B2−2ABcos⁡θ|\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: ∣A⃗+B⃗∣=∣A⃗−B⃗∣|\vec{A} + \vec{B}| = |\vec{A} - \vec{B}|

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

Now, simplify the equation: A2+B2+2ABcos⁡θ=A2+B2−2ABcos⁡θA^2 + B^2 + 2AB \cos\theta = A^2 + B^2 - 2AB \cos\theta

Subtract A2+B2A^2 + B^2 from both sides: 2ABcos⁡θ=−2ABcos⁡θ2AB \cos\theta = -2AB \cos\theta

Add 2ABcos⁡θ2AB \cos\theta to both sides: 4ABcos⁡θ=04AB \cos\theta = 0

Since A⃗\vec{A} and B⃗\vec{B} are non-zero vectors, their magnitudes AA and BB are not zero. Therefore, for the product 4ABcos⁡θ4AB \cos\theta to be zero, cos⁡θ\cos\theta must be zero. cos⁡θ=0\cos\theta = 0

The angle θ\theta for which cos⁡θ=0\cos\theta = 0 is 90∘90^\circ (or π/2\pi/2 radians).

Let's analyze why other options are incorrect:

  • If θ=0∘\theta = 0^\circ, then cos⁡θ=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 cos⁡θ=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 cos⁡θ=−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 90∘90^\circ.

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