The resultant of two equal vectors will be equal to either of the vectors
themselves when the angle between the two vectors is 120 degrees. Explanation:
Consider two vectors A⃗\vec{A}A and B⃗\vec{B}B with equal magnitude ppp. The
magnitude of their resultant vector R⃗\vec{R}R is given by the formula:
R=A2+B2+2ABcosθR=\sqrt{A^2+B^2+2AB\cos \theta}R=A2+B2+2ABcosθ
Since A=B=pA=B=pA=B=p, substitute:
R=p2+p2+2p2cosθ=2p2+2p2cosθR=\sqrt{p^2+p^2+2p^2\cos \theta}=\sqrt{2p^2+2p^2\cos \theta}R=p2+p2+2p2cosθ=2p2+2p2cosθ
For the resultant to be equal to either vector's magnitude ppp:
p=2p2+2p2cosθp=\sqrt{2p^2+2p^2\cos \theta}p=2p2+2p2cosθ
Squaring both sides and simplifying:
p2=2p2+2p2cosθ ⟹ 1=2+2cosθ ⟹ 2cosθ=−1 ⟹ cosθ=−12p^2=2p^2+2p^2\cos \theta \implies 1=2+2\cos \theta \implies 2\cos \theta =-1\implies \cos \theta =-\frac{1}{2}p2=2p2+2p2cosθ⟹1=2+2cosθ⟹2cosθ=−1⟹cosθ=−21
This corresponds to:
θ=120∘\theta =120^\circ θ=120∘
Therefore, the resultant of two vectors of equal magnitude is equal in magnitude to either of the vectors only when the angle between them is 120 degrees.