Forces in Two Dimensions - Mission F2D1 Detailed Help

A vector component describes ...
 
 
Definition of Vector Component
A vector component is a projection of a vector onto the horizontal or vertical axis.


 
A vector directed northwest has components that are directed north and west. The northern component is the projection of the vector onto the north-south axis. The western component is the projection of the vector onto the east-west axis. If an airplane is flying northwest - with a velocity of say 200 km/hr at 120 degrees - then the plane has a northern and a western component of velocity. The northern component of velocity describes the effect of the plane's velocity in the northern direction. The western component of velocity describes the effect of the plane's velocity in the western direction. In Physics, components simply describe the effect of a vector in a given direction.


 

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