What is the minimum number of vectors with unequal magnitudes whose vector sum can be zero?
A)two
B)three
C)four
D)five
E)six

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In order for the vector sum to be zero, the vectors must cancel each other out. This means that they must have opposite direction as well. The minimum number of vectors needed for this to happen is three. Imagine placing one vector pointing in any direction. To cancel out its effect, we need another vector pointing in the opposite direction. However, this new vector will add another magnitude to the total. To cancel out this effect, we need a third vector pointing in a different direction with a magnitude equal to the sum of the previous two vectors. This ensures that the magnitudes are unequal, and the vector sum is zero. Therefore, the minimum number of vectors with unequal magnitudes whose vector sum can be zero is three.

What Is the Minimum Number of Vectors with Unequal Magnitudes