Question

The vector v has a magnitude of 5 meters and a direction of60°. Find the magnitude of its vertical and horizontalcomponents.

Answer 1

Given:

There is a vector with magnitude 5 meters and direction 60 degrees.

Required:

We need to find the magnitude of it's vertical and horizontal components

Explanation:

The vector v and it's vertical and horizontal components are shown in figure

here vx and vy are horizontal and vertical components respectively

Now to find the magnitude of both components

$\begin{gathered} v_x=v\cos\emptyset \\ v_y=v\sin\emptyset \end{gathered}$

now substitute the values

$v_x=5\cos60=5*\frac{1}{2}\approx2.5\text{ m}$$v_y=5\sin60\approx4.33\text{ m}$

Final answer:

The magnitude of vertical and horizontal components of v are 2.5 m and 4.33 m respectively