The vector product of vectors A and B has magnitude 16.0m^2 and is in the direction +z. If vector A has a magnitude 8.0m and is in the -x direction, what are the magnitude and direction of vector B if it has no X component?

Respuesta :

We're given

[tex]\vec A = -(8.0\,\mathrm m)\,\vec\imath[/tex]

and

[tex]\vec A \times \vec B = (16.0\,\mathrm m^2) \, \vec k[/tex]

Recall that

[tex]\vec\imath \times \vec\jmath = \vec k[/tex]

so [tex]\vec B[/tex] must pointing in the -y direction, which means

[tex]\vec B = -\|\vec B\|\,\vec\jmath[/tex]

Then it follows that

[tex]\vec A \times \vec B = (8.0\,\mathrm m)\|\vec B\| (\vec\imath\times\vec\jmath) = (16.0\,\mathrm m^2) \, \vec k \\\\ \implies \|\vec B\| = \boxed{2.0\,\mathrm m}[/tex]