Physics - vectors

• anpanman

  20 Feb 10, 09:33

  In the diagram, for what value of a will C = A + B have

  a. a minimum magnitude and

  b, a maximum magnitude? What are these values of C?

  

  I'm not sure if I've interpreted the question correctly but I'd say the answer for a is 180deg because A+ (-B) will give you the minimum magnitude,

  As for (b), I think it's 0 deg when (A+B) gives you 17. But it is said that C has got valueS. So may I know how I can solve this question? Thanks

• wee_ws

  20 Feb 10, 13:34

  Originally posted by anpanman:

  In the diagram, for what value of a will C = A + B have

  a. a minimum magnitude and

  b, a maximum magnitude? What are these values of C?

  

  I'm not sure if I've interpreted the question correctly but I'd say the answer for a is 180deg because A+ (-B) will give you the minimum magnitude,

  As for (b), I think it's 0 deg when (A+B) gives you 17. But it is said that C has got valueS. So may I know how I can solve this question? Thanks

  Hi,

    You are correct for max and min magnitudes.

    There are two values of the vector C, one for max mag and one for min mag.

    Thanks.

  Cheers,
  Wen Shih