Question

In a vector problem, what does 30 degrees north of west mean? How would I find the x and y component given a force of 30N for the vector?

Answer 1

To find the x and y components of a force vector given an angle, you can use trigonometry. The x component can be found using x = F * cos(angle), and the y component can be found using y = F * sin(angle). In this case, the x component is 25.98N and the y component is 15N.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a vector is defined as 30 degrees north of west, it means that the vector is directed in a northwest direction but is tilted 30 degrees towards the north. To find the x and y components of a force vector, you can use trigonometry. Let's assume that the force is 30N and the angle is 30 degrees.

To find the x component (westward), you can use the formula x = F * cos(angle), where F is the force and angle is the angle of the vector. In this case, x = 30N * cos(30°) = 25.98N.

To find the y component (northward), you can use the formula y = F * sin(angle), where F is the force and angle is the angle of the vector. In this case, y = 30N * sin(30°) = 15N.

Answer 2

First, you have to define your x and y axes, what is 0º and what direction do you turn to face 90º.... In algebra, the 0º is the angle from the x-axis, and you turn counter clockwise to get to 90º (the y-axis) but if you use the compass directions, 0º (north) is the y axis, and you turn CLOCKWISE 90º to get to the x-axis (east)