Find components of vectors on F

In summary, to find the u and v components, you can use the same method as finding the x and y components by considering a right triangle with the force vector as the hypotenuse and solving for the adjacent side using the cosine of the angle. For u, the angle is Θ and for v, the angle is 90-Θ.
  • #1
bbarke00
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1. Problem is pictured here. http://engineeringhomework.net/statics/hw1p14.html" I have already found the x and y components, but I don't know how to get the u and v as shown.
 
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  • #2
You would find them in exactly the same way you found x and y. To find the x component you can consider the right triangle between the force vector, the the x component and the y component. You know that the cos of the angle equals the adjacent component (the x comp in this case) divided by the hypotenuse (the magnitude of the force), and in this way you can solve for the x comp

cos Θ = A/H = x/F

Well, for the u and v, you do the same thing. You consider a right triangle, where the hypotenuse is F, the adjacent side is the u component, and the other side is a component perpendicular to u (not v). Θ is the angle between the force vector and u, in this case 21, and you can solve for u

cos Θ = A/H = u/F

Solving for v is a similar problem
 

FAQ: Find components of vectors on F

What is a vector?

A vector is a mathematical object that has magnitude and direction. It is often represented by an arrow, with the length of the arrow representing the magnitude and the direction of the arrow representing the direction.

What are components of a vector?

Components of a vector are the parts of the vector that are parallel to the x and y axes. These components are usually represented by the letters x and y, and can be used to describe the overall direction and magnitude of the vector.

How do you find components of a vector on F?

To find the components of a vector on F, first determine the angle between the vector and the x-axis. Then, use trigonometric functions such as sine and cosine to find the x and y components of the vector.

What is the significance of finding components of a vector on F?

Finding components of a vector on F is important because it allows us to break down a vector into its individual parts, making it easier to analyze and manipulate mathematically. It also helps in understanding the overall direction and magnitude of the vector.

Can components of a vector on F be negative?

Yes, components of a vector on F can be negative. This occurs when the vector is pointing in a direction that is opposite to the positive direction of the x or y axis. In this case, the component in that direction is represented by a negative value.

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