We have to be very careful with this one:
If two vectors with equal magnitudes point in directions that are 120° apart,
then their sum has the same magnitude that each of them has.
But vectors are not "equal" unless they have the same magnitude and the
same direction. If the two originals in the question are truly equal, then they
must point in the same direction, their sum can only be double the same
magnitude and in the same direction, and it's obviously not equal to the
original two vectors. So the strict answer to the question is a simple "no".
If they're separated by 120°, then they're not really equal. Their sum has the
same magnitude that each of them has, but it can't be 'equal' to either of the
original ones, because it doesn't point in the same direction that either of them
does.
This whole discussion is like "walking on eggs".
We note further that the question is a bit confused too. First it says that two
vectors are equal, then it asks whether another vector is equal to "either" one.
If the original two are truly equal, then anything that's equal to one of them
must be equal to both of them.
If you're still following this, then I offer you my congratulations.
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Trivially, the sum of two null vectors is also a null vector. And that is the only possible instance when the question can be properly answered in the positive.
Yes, if one of the vectors is the null vector.
Only if one of them has a magnitude of zero, so, effectively, no.
Not really. The sum of the magnitudes is a scalar, not a vector - so they can't be equal. But the sum of the two vectors can have the same magnitude, if both vectors point in the same direction.
Only if one of them has a magnitude of zero, so, effectively, no.
When the angle between two vectors is zero ... i.e. the vectors are parallel ... their sum is a vector in thesame direction, and with magnitude equal to the sum of the magnitudes of the two original vectors.
Yes, if one of the vectors is the null vector.
Only if one of them has a magnitude of zero, so, effectively, no.
Only if one of them has a magnitude of zero, so, effectively, no.
only if the vectors have the same direction
Not really. The sum of the magnitudes is a scalar, not a vector - so they can't be equal. But the sum of the two vectors can have the same magnitude, if both vectors point in the same direction.
Only if one of them has a magnitude of zero, so, effectively, no.
When the angle between two vectors is zero ... i.e. the vectors are parallel ... their sum is a vector in thesame direction, and with magnitude equal to the sum of the magnitudes of the two original vectors.
When the vectors are parallel, i.e. both have the same direction.
Yes.
When the angle between any two component vectors is either zero or 180 degrees.
iff the angle between them is 120 degrees
No, they could be equal If the two vectors are opposites (180 degrees apart) like r and -r, then the sum of their magnitudes is the magnitude of their sum. ?? North 1 plus East 1 gives NorthEast 1.414. North 1 plus South 1 gives 0. North 1 plus North 1 gives North 2, which is equal to, not less than 1+1.