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5. VECTOR PRODUCT OF TWO VECTORS

Synopsis:
1. The cross product of two vectors a and b is a vector and is defined as | a | . | b | sinθ.n̂ , where n̂ is
the unit vector perpendicular to the plane containing a and b such that a , b , n̂ form a right handed
system.
2. Let F be a force directed along a line. Let O be a point (origin). Let OP = r be the position vector
of any point P on the line of action of F . Then rxF gives the moment of the force F about the point
O.
3. a x b = O ⇔ either a = O (or) b = O (or) a is parallel to b .

i j k
4. If a = a1i + a 2 j + a 3 k , b = b1i + b 2 j + b 3 k , then a x b = a1 a 2 a3
b1 b 2 b3

5. If a x b ≠ b x a but a x b = - b x a (i.e., cross product is anti commutative)

6. If i , j, k is a orthonormal triad of unit vectors forming a right handed system then i xj = -jx i ;
jxk = - k xj = i ; k x i = - i xk = j and i x i = j xj = k xk = 0 .

axb
7. Unit vector perpendicular to the both the vectors a and b is ± .
| axb |

8. If a and b are the adjacent sides of a parallelogram then vector area of the parallelogram is a xb
and area = | a x b | sq.units.
1
9. If a and b are two adjacent sides of a triangle then area of the triangle is | axb | sq.units.
2
1
10. If a , b , c are the vertices of a triangle then the area of the triangle is | b xc + cxa + a x b | sq.units.
2
11. The points a , b , c are collinear if a x b + b xc + cx a = 0 .

12. If a , b , c are the position vectors of the points A, B, C then the perpendicular distance from C to
| b xc + c x a + a x b | | ACx AB |
the straight line AB is or .
|b−a| | AB |
(l1l 2 + m1m 2 + n1n 2 )
13. If l1, m1, n1 and l2, m2, n2 are the direction ratios of a straight line then cosθ = .
∑ l12 ∑ l 22

14. For every vector

i) a xa = 0
ii) | a x b |=| b x a |
iii) a x(b + c) = a xb + a xc cross product is left distributive over vector addition
iv) ( a + b )xc = a xc + b xc cross product is right distributive over vector addition
15. For any two vectors a and b , ( a x b ) 2 + ( a.b ) 2 =| a |2 | b |2

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