Find a vector which is perpendicular to the plane

In summary, to find a vector perpendicular to the plane containing vectors a and b, you can use the vector product of a and b. This will give you a vector that is perpendicular to both a and b. No need to find a vector parallel to this result.
  • #1
nicholasjgroo
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Homework Statement


the vectors a and b


Homework Equations


find a vector which is perpendicular to the plane containing vectors a and b


The Attempt at a Solution



do i find the vector product of a and b and then find something that's parallel to that or...?
 
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  • #2


Yes, that's a good one.

Hint: note that the vector v is parallel to the vector v.
 
  • #3


The vector product will give you a vector that is perpendicular to both a and b. This should be sufficient to answer the question, I don't think you need to find another which is parallel to this vector.
 

FAQ: Find a vector which is perpendicular to the plane

1. What is a vector perpendicular to a plane?

A vector perpendicular to a plane is a vector that forms a 90-degree angle with all vectors in the plane. This means that the vector is at a 90-degree angle to the surface of the plane.

2. How do you find a vector perpendicular to a plane?

To find a vector that is perpendicular to a plane, you can use the cross product of two non-parallel vectors in the plane. The resulting vector will be perpendicular to both of the original vectors and therefore perpendicular to the plane.

3. Can there be more than one vector perpendicular to a plane?

Yes, there can be an infinite number of vectors that are perpendicular to a plane. This is because any vector that is parallel to the plane's surface can be rotated to be perpendicular, resulting in an infinite number of possibilities.

4. What is the relationship between a normal vector and a vector perpendicular to a plane?

A normal vector is a vector that is perpendicular to a plane and points directly away from the plane's surface. Therefore, a vector perpendicular to a plane can also be called a normal vector.

5. What is the significance of finding a vector perpendicular to a plane?

Finding a vector perpendicular to a plane is useful in many applications, such as calculating the normal force in physics or determining the direction of motion in engineering. It is also a fundamental concept in linear algebra and vector calculus.

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