Finding the y- component of velocity

[seallen]

Homework Statement

A boat moves at an angle of 60° to a horizontal line. The x component of the boat's velocity is 5 m/s. What is its y component of velocity?
Question 25 answers

10 m/s

10 √3 m/s

5 √3 m/s

5 m/s

Homework Equations

How exactly do I find the y-component for this problem?

The Attempt at a Solution

I originally drew a diagram of a triangle and came up with the equation cos 60=x/5, when I tried to solve for x I got 2.5 m/s. This isn't one of the solutions available so I am thinking I'm not using the correct equation.

 

[Flipmeister]

cos 60 should be equal to the vector adjacent to the 60 degree angle divided by the hypotenuse. You're looking for the vector opposite from the angle, so there's a different operation for that.

 

[Liquidxlax]

cos 60 should be equal to the vector adjacent to the 60 degree angle divided by the hypotenuse. You're looking for the vector opposite from the angle, so there's a different operation for that.

i would start out with a diagram, showing the angle and x and y velocities.

it makes the trig much easier

 

[mrcotton]

Hi,
as your not given the hypotenuse your are only given an angle and the x component you need to use the tangent function

SOH CAH TOA

This then becomes 5 * Tan(60) = the y component you are after.

I hope that helps and more importantly I hope I am right
thanks
Mr C

 

[Nickie]

To find the y-component of velocity, we can use the equation sin θ = y/v, where θ is the angle of motion and v is the magnitude of the velocity. In this case, θ = 60° and v = 5 m/s. Therefore, the equation becomes sin 60° = y/5. Solving for y, we get y = 5√3 m/s. This is the correct answer from the available options. Your approach of using cos 60° = x/5 is also correct, but you have to remember that the x-component is equal to the velocity multiplied by cos 60°, so x = 5 * cos 60° = 2.5 m/s. This is not the y-component, but rather the x-component. I hope this helps clarify your confusion.