Question

The components of vector Upper A Overscript right-arrow EndScripts are Ax and Ay (both positive), and the angle that it makes with respect to the positive xaxis is θ. Find the angle θ if the components of the displacement vector Upper A Overscript right-arrow EndScripts are:

(a) Ax = 12 m and Ay = 12 m,

(b) Ax= 19 m and Ay = 12 m, and

(c) Ax = 12 m and Ay = 19 m.

(a) θ = Number____________ Units____

(b) θ = Number____________ Units____

(c) θ = Number ____________Units____

Answer 1

(a) θ = 45° = 0.78 rad

(b) θ = 32.27° = 0.56 rad

(c) θ = 57.27° = 1 rad

Step-by-step explanation:

When a vector is resolved into its rectangular components, the formula for the direction angle of the vector with positive x-axis is given as:

tan θ = Ay/Ax

θ = tan⁻¹(Ay/Ax)

(a)

Ax = 12 m

Ay = 12 m

θ = tan⁻¹(12 m/ 12 m)

θ = tan⁻¹(1)

θ = 45° = 0.78 rad

(b)

Ax = 19 m

Ay = 12 m

θ = tan⁻¹(12 m/19 m)

θ = tan⁻¹(0.6315)

θ = 32.27° = 0.56 rad

(c)

Ax = 12 m

Ay = 19 m

θ = tan⁻¹(19 m/12 m)

θ = tan⁻¹(1.58333)

θ = 57.27° = 1 rad