Question

When determining the angle a vector makes with the positive x-axis, which trigonometric concept is employed?

a) Cosine rule
b) Sine rule
c) Dot product
d) Arc tangent calculation

Answer 1

The concept employed when determining the angle a vector makes with the positive x-axis is the sine rule. y-component can be expressed as the product of its magnitude with the sine of its direction angle. Therefore, the sine rule is used to determine the angle a vector makes with the positive x-axis.

Step-by-step explanation:

The concept employed when determining the angle a vector makes with the positive x-axis is the sine rule. In a plane, the direction of a vector is given by the angle the vector has with the positive x-axis. This direction angle is measured counterclockwise.

The scalar x-component of a vector can be expressed as the product of its magnitude with the cosine of its direction angle, and the scalar y-component can be expressed as the product of its magnitude with the sine of its direction angle. Therefore, the sine rule is used to determine the angle a vector makes with the positive x-axis.