Question

A vector has a magnitude of 10 units and makes at an angle of 240 ° with the positive x axis. Draw the vector on the x-y plane and find (a) the x component and (b) the y component of the vector. 2.

Answer 1

If you take X - Y Co - ordinate system, the vector is drawn below 90 degrees 90 degrees 60 degrees 240 degrees X component of vector = Vector times cos theta degrees = 10 times cos 60 degrees = 5 Y - Component of vector = Vector times sin theta degrees = 10 times sin 60 degrees = 10 times squareroot 3/2 = 5 squareroot 3 Verify total vector 10 = squareroot (X_component)^2 + (Y_component)^2 = squareroot (5)^2 + (5 squareroot 3)^2 = squareroot 25 + 75 = squareroot 100 = 10 Verified as well