If $\vec{a}, \vec{b}$ and $\vec{c}$ are three unit vectors inclined to each other at an angle $\theta$, then the maximum value of $\theta$ is
A$\frac{\pi}{3}$
B$\frac{\pi}{2}$
C$\frac{2\pi}{3}$
D$\frac{5\pi}{6}$
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: C. $\frac{2\pi}{3}$
Let the angle between every pair of unit vectors be $\theta$. Then
$$
\vec{a}\cdot\vec{b}=\vec{b}\cdot\vec{c}=\vec{c}\cdot\vec{a}=\cos\theta.
$$
Consider
$$
|\vec{a}+\vec{b}+\vec{c}|^2 \ge 0.
$$
Expanding,
$$
|\vec{a}|^2+|\vec{b}|^2+|\vec{c}|^2+2\vec{a}\cdot\vec{b}+2\vec{b}\cdot\vec{c}+2\vec{c}\cdot\vec{a} \ge 0.
$$
Since the vectors are unit vectors,
$$
3+6\cos\theta \ge 0.
$$
So,
$$
\cos\theta \ge -\frac{1}{2}.
$$
Hence,
$$
\theta \le \frac{2\pi}{3}.
$$
Therefore the maximum value is $\frac{2\pi}{3}$, which matches option $\text{C}$ after checking all given options.
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