15 - University Physics with Modern Physics

Question

Can you find a vector quantity that has a magnitude of zero but components that are not zero? Explain. Can the magnitude of a vector be less than the magnitude of any of its components? Explain.

 

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

No, a vector cannot have zero magnitude.

No, the magnitude of vector cannot be less than its components.

Vector

The vectors are quantities that have both direction and magnitude like force, velocity, acceleration etc.

Explanation

 

The magnitude of the vector is computed as the sum of the square of its components however if those components are complex numbers, then it is possible that the vector has a zero magnitude.

 

The magnitude of any resultant vector of two components cannot be smaller than any of its component vectors because the positive combination of the vectors.