What is the dot product of two vectors that are perpendicular?

1 Answer

The dot of two vectors is given by the sum of its correspondent coordinates multiplied. In mathematical notation:
let #v = [v_(1), v_(2), ... , v_(n)] # and #u = [u_(1), u_(2), ... , u_(n)]#,
Dot product:
#v*u = #
#sum v_(i).u_(i) = (v_(1).u_(1)) + (v_(2).u_(2)) + ... + (v_(n).u_(n))#

and angle between vectors:
#cos(theta) =(v*u)/(|v||u|)#

Since the angle between two perpendicular vectors is #pi/2#, and it's cosine equals 0:
#(v*u)/(|v||u|) = 0 :. v*u = 0#

Hope it helps.