Find a unit vector in the direction of vector $\overrightarrow a = 2\widehat i + 3\widehat j + 6\widehat k$.
Answer
655.5k+ views
Hint: We will calculate a unit vector in the direction of the given vector by using the formula: $\widehat a = \dfrac{{\overrightarrow a }}{{\left| {\overrightarrow a } \right|}}$ where $\widehat a$ is the unit vector in direction of$\overrightarrow a $ and $\left| {\overrightarrow a } \right|$is the magnitude of $\overrightarrow a $. We will calculate the magnitude of $\overrightarrow a $by the formula: $\left| {\overrightarrow a } \right|$= $\sqrt {{x^2} + {y^2} + {z^2}} $ when $\overrightarrow a = x\widehat i + y\widehat j + z\widehat k$.
Complete step-by-step answer:
We are given a vector $\overrightarrow a = 2\widehat i + 3\widehat j + 6\widehat k$.
We are required to find a unit vector in the direction of $\overrightarrow a = 2\widehat i + 3\widehat j + 6\widehat k$.
We will first calculate the magnitude of $\overrightarrow a = 2\widehat i + 3\widehat j + 6\widehat k$by the formula: $\left| {\overrightarrow a } \right|$= $\sqrt {{x^2} + {y^2} + {z^2}} $
Here, x = 2, y = 3 and z = 6, substituting them in the formula of the magnitude, we get
$
\Rightarrow \left| {\overrightarrow a } \right| = \sqrt {{2^2} + {3^2} + {6^2}} \\
\Rightarrow \left| {\overrightarrow a } \right| = \sqrt {4 + 9 + 36} \\
\Rightarrow \left| {\overrightarrow a } \right| = \sqrt {49} = 7 \\
$
Now, the relation of the unit vector is given by: $\widehat a = \dfrac{{\overrightarrow a }}{{\left| {\overrightarrow a } \right|}}$ where $\widehat a$ is the unit vector in direction of$\overrightarrow a $ and $\left| {\overrightarrow a } \right|$is the magnitude of $\overrightarrow a $.
Substituting the values, we get
$
\Rightarrow \widehat a = \dfrac{{\overrightarrow a }}{{\left| {\overrightarrow a } \right|}} \\
\Rightarrow \widehat a = \dfrac{{2\widehat i + 3\widehat j + 6\widehat k}}{7} \\
$
We can write this equation as:
$ \Rightarrow \widehat a = \dfrac{2}{7}\widehat i + \dfrac{3}{7}\widehat j + \dfrac{6}{7}\widehat k$
Therefore, the required unit vector in the direction of $\overrightarrow a = 2\widehat i + 3\widehat j + 6\widehat k$is found to be: $\widehat a = \dfrac{2}{7}\widehat i + \dfrac{3}{7}\widehat j + \dfrac{6}{7}\widehat k$
Note: In this question, you may get confused in the formula used and the calculation of the magnitude of vector a. Put the correct values of the vector and its magnitude to calculate the unit vector. You can only write the condensed form as there is no compulsion to write it as $\widehat a = \dfrac{2}{7}\widehat i + \dfrac{3}{7}\widehat j + \dfrac{6}{7}\widehat k$. This is just for the simplicity of the vector components.
Complete step-by-step answer:
We are given a vector $\overrightarrow a = 2\widehat i + 3\widehat j + 6\widehat k$.
We are required to find a unit vector in the direction of $\overrightarrow a = 2\widehat i + 3\widehat j + 6\widehat k$.
We will first calculate the magnitude of $\overrightarrow a = 2\widehat i + 3\widehat j + 6\widehat k$by the formula: $\left| {\overrightarrow a } \right|$= $\sqrt {{x^2} + {y^2} + {z^2}} $
Here, x = 2, y = 3 and z = 6, substituting them in the formula of the magnitude, we get
$
\Rightarrow \left| {\overrightarrow a } \right| = \sqrt {{2^2} + {3^2} + {6^2}} \\
\Rightarrow \left| {\overrightarrow a } \right| = \sqrt {4 + 9 + 36} \\
\Rightarrow \left| {\overrightarrow a } \right| = \sqrt {49} = 7 \\
$
Now, the relation of the unit vector is given by: $\widehat a = \dfrac{{\overrightarrow a }}{{\left| {\overrightarrow a } \right|}}$ where $\widehat a$ is the unit vector in direction of$\overrightarrow a $ and $\left| {\overrightarrow a } \right|$is the magnitude of $\overrightarrow a $.
Substituting the values, we get
$
\Rightarrow \widehat a = \dfrac{{\overrightarrow a }}{{\left| {\overrightarrow a } \right|}} \\
\Rightarrow \widehat a = \dfrac{{2\widehat i + 3\widehat j + 6\widehat k}}{7} \\
$
We can write this equation as:
$ \Rightarrow \widehat a = \dfrac{2}{7}\widehat i + \dfrac{3}{7}\widehat j + \dfrac{6}{7}\widehat k$
Therefore, the required unit vector in the direction of $\overrightarrow a = 2\widehat i + 3\widehat j + 6\widehat k$is found to be: $\widehat a = \dfrac{2}{7}\widehat i + \dfrac{3}{7}\widehat j + \dfrac{6}{7}\widehat k$
Note: In this question, you may get confused in the formula used and the calculation of the magnitude of vector a. Put the correct values of the vector and its magnitude to calculate the unit vector. You can only write the condensed form as there is no compulsion to write it as $\widehat a = \dfrac{2}{7}\widehat i + \dfrac{3}{7}\widehat j + \dfrac{6}{7}\widehat k$. This is just for the simplicity of the vector components.
Recently Updated Pages
Write structures of the following compounds i 2 Chloro3methylpentane class 11 chemistry CBSE

What is BLO What is the full form of BLO class 8 social science CBSE

Explain the Treaty of Vienna of 1815 class 10 social science CBSE

A Paragraph on Pollution in about 100-150 Words

XIX+XXX A 49 B 51 C 55 D 44 class 5 maths CBSE

If x a + bt + ct2 where x is in meters and t is in class 11 physics CBSE

Trending doubts
One Metric ton is equal to kg A 10000 B 1000 C 100 class 11 physics CBSE

Find the value of the expression given below sin 30circ class 11 maths CBSE

What do you mean by retardation What is its SI uni class 11 physics CBSE

Draw a diagram of nephron and explain its structur class 11 biology CBSE

10 examples of friction in our daily life

Difference between physical and chemical change class 11 chemistry CBSE

