How do you find the components of a vector?

Sometimes it is more useful for us to represent a vector in terms of other vectors added together. For example, we can split a vector into the vectors pointing in the direction of our axes, we call these seperate vectors our components. These components when added together will equal our original vector. To find our components, we use trigonometry. If we know the angle between our vector and the horizontal (or x) axis, we can use the cosine function to calculate the horizontal component. Similarly, our vertical component is found using the sine function.

AS

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

A cylindrical rod of radius 7mm and Young’s Modulus 70 GPa has a weight F applied to it. The material experiences a strain of 0.2%. What force has been applied?


A spacecraft needs to be slowed down from a speed of 96m/s to 8.2m/s. This can be done by firing an object as the spacecraft is moving. If the mass of the spacecraft is 6730kg and the object is 50kg, calculate the velocity of the ejected object.


A circuit with a voltage source of 18V, has 3 resistors all connected on parallel, values at 2ohms, 6ohms and 7.5ohms. Find the total circuit resistance, and then subsequently, the total current supplied and power dissipated in the curcuit.


What is the Young's modulus of a material?