Q199 / 200 · MHT CET - Medical 2026 (21 April Shift 2) · Physics

Out of the following vectors, identify the one which is normal to the force, $\vec{F} = 4\hat{i} - 3\hat{j}$.

  • A
    $-6\hat{i}$
  • B
    $7\hat{i}$
  • Correct answer
    C
    $3\hat{i} + 4\hat{j}$
  • D
    $4\hat{i} + 3\hat{j}$

Solution

Two vectors are normal to each other if their dot product is zero.

Given force vector $\vec{F} = 4\hat{i} - 3\hat{j}$.

Checking the dot product of $\vec{F}$ with each of the given vectors:

For option (1): $(4\hat{i} - 3\hat{j}) \cdot (-6\hat{i}) = (4)(-6) + (-3)(0) = -24 \neq 0$

For option (2): $(4\hat{i} - 3\hat{j}) \cdot (7\hat{i}) = (4)(7) + (-3)(0) = 28 \neq 0$

For option (3): $(4\hat{i} - 3\hat{j}) \cdot (3\hat{i} + 4\hat{j}) = (4)(3) + (-3)(4) = 12 - 12 = 0$

For option (4): $(4\hat{i} - 3\hat{j}) \cdot (4\hat{i} + 3\hat{j}) = (4)(4) + (-3)(3) = 16 - 9 = 7 \neq 0$

Since the dot product is zero for the vector $3\hat{i} + 4\hat{j}$, it is normal to the given force vector.

Hence, the correct answer is option: 'C'.

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