Explain the commutative law for vector addition.

Vedclass pdf generator app on play store
Vedclass iOS app on app store
(N/A) Consider two vectors $\vec{A}$ and $\vec{B}$. According to the parallelogram law of vector addition,we can construct a parallelogram $OPRQ$ where $\vec{OP} = \vec{A}$ and $\vec{OR} = \vec{B}$.
From the triangle law of vector addition in $\Delta OPQ$:
$\vec{A} + \vec{B} = \vec{OP} + \vec{PQ} = \vec{OQ} \quad \dots (i)$
From the triangle law of vector addition in $\Delta ORQ$:
$\vec{B} + \vec{A} = \vec{OR} + \vec{RQ} = \vec{OQ} \quad \dots (ii)$
Since $\vec{PQ} = \vec{OR} = \vec{B}$ and $\vec{RQ} = \vec{OP} = \vec{A}$ in a parallelogram,comparing equations $(i)$ and $(ii)$,we get:
$\vec{A} + \vec{B} = \vec{B} + \vec{A}$
This proves that vector addition is commutative.

Explore More

Similar Questions

$A$ particle is simultaneously acted upon by two forces equal to $4\, N$ and $3\, N$. The net force on the particle is

Two vectors $\vec{A}$ and $\vec{B}$ have equal magnitudes. Then the vector $\vec{A} + \vec{B}$ is perpendicular to:

$A$ vector $P$ directed along the $X$-axis is added to vector $Q$ which has a magnitude of $10 \ m$. The resultant vector is directed along the $Y$-axis,with a magnitude that is $2$ times that of $P$. The magnitude of $P$ is

The resultant of $\vec{A} + \vec{B}$ is $\vec{R}_1$. On reversing the vector $\vec{B}$,the resultant becomes $\vec{R}_2$. What is the value of $R_1^2 + R_2^2$?

If the sum of two unit vectors is a unit vector,find the magnitude of their difference.

Difficult
View Solution

Vedclass Products

For Students

Vedclass Test Series

Mock tests in real JEE/NEET style with performance analysis. 5-day free trial.

Start Free Trial
For Teachers

Exam Paper Generator

Generate Set A/B/C/D exam papers from 7.5L+ questions in 2 minutes. 3 chapters free.

Try Free
For Institutes

Online Exam Module

Live online exams with unlimited students, 360° analytics & white-label branding.

See Demo