What is the Angle Between Perpendicular Vectors?

  • Thread starter Indranil
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In summary, the resultant perpendicular to two vectors is the vector that is created when the two vectors are at right angles to each other.
  • #1
Indranil
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Member has been warned for showing no own effort.

Homework Statement


The resultant R of vectors P and Q is perpendicular to P and R=P both, then the angle between P and Q is what?
Now, what is the concept behind it? Could you provide me with an image of the resultant perpendicular to two vectors so that I can understand the concept and start solving the problem?

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

 
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  • #2
What do you mean by "is perpendicular to P and R=P both"? I don't know how to parse that.
 
  • #3
stevendaryl said:
What do you mean by "is perpendicular to P and R=P both"? I don't know how to parse that.
nither I understand what it means. The question says like this.
 
  • #4
Perhaps it means "R is perpendicular to P and |R| = |P|". Or perhaps "R is perpendicular to P and R = P". Or whatever notation. That is, the vector R is at right angles to the vector P, and the length of R equals the length of P.
 
  • #5
Indranil said:

Homework Statement


The resultant R of vectors P and Q is perpendicular to P and R=P both, then the angle between P and Q is what?
Now, what is the concept behind it? Could you provide me with an image of the resultant perpendicular to two vectors so that I can understand the concept and start solving the problem?

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


I agree with stevendaryl, the question is not easy to understand formulated like this, but here is my guess:

The resultant vector ##\vec{R}## is the sum of the two vectors ##\vec P ## and ##\vec Q ##. You know the direction and the length of ##\vec P ##, where the latter is identical with the length of ##\vec R ##. Therefore you know the lengths of two vectors and their angle with respect to each other. By drawing this constellation, there is only one possibility for ##\vec Q ## to fit between them. Try to draw it, show your attempt and it's easier to help you.
 
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  • #6
Please report to the mentors those cases, in which the OP doesn't show any effort to tackle his problem, instead of answering it. If you think it is a general problem of understanding rather than a homework problem, then please also report it, such that we can move it to a technical forum.

@Indranil : If you're in doubt what to do, you can always ask in advance for guidance by a mentor, or report your own post to be evaluated.

Thanks for your understanding.
 

Related to What is the Angle Between Perpendicular Vectors?

What is the definition of "The angle between P and Q"?

The angle between P and Q is the measure of the amount of rotation needed to bring vector P to coincide with vector Q.

How do you calculate the angle between two vectors?

The angle between two vectors can be calculated using the dot product formula: θ = cos⁻¹((P · Q) / (|P| * |Q|)), where P and Q are the two vectors and |P| and |Q| are their magnitudes.

What is the range of possible values for the angle between P and Q?

The angle between P and Q can have values between 0° and 180°, or between 0 and π radians.

Can the angle between P and Q be negative?

No, the angle between P and Q is always positive. If the two vectors are in opposite directions, the angle is considered to be 180° or π radians.

How does the angle between P and Q relate to the direction of rotation?

If the angle between P and Q is positive, the rotation is counterclockwise. If it is negative, the rotation is clockwise. This can also be determined by the right-hand rule, where P is the direction of the thumb and Q is the direction of the fingers.

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