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Physics Online
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Resolving vectors
This video explains how horizontal (x) and vertical (y) components of a vector (resultant) can be obtained by constructing a right-angled triangle and using trigonometry. Two examples are given.
1. A plane flying N-E (60⁰ from north) at 50m/s.
The horizontal component = 50cos30⁰
The vertical component = 50sin30⁰
2. A generalised case of a force acting at an angle of θ to the horizontal (x) axis provides the formulae:
Fx = Fcos θ and Fy = Fsin θ
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