Understanding Vectors and Kinematics: A Simple Guide [SOLVED]

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In summary, the conversation is about understanding vectors and two dimensional kinematics. The person is asking for help with finding Vx and Vy when given Vo and an angle. An expert suggests a shortcut for those who struggle with trigonometry by using the cosine and sine of the angle. It is also recommended to understand trigonometry for better understanding of the concept.
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LeMans Audi
[SOLVED] please help with vectors

ok right now vectors and two dimensional kinematics are really confusing me i know most if not all of the equations however i don't understand what is suppose to be placed instead of Vo or Vy. can somebody please help.[?]
 
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  • #2
I'm guessing that you mean "how to find Vx and Vy" when you are given Vo plus an angle?

If you do not like trigonometry, here's a shortcut to remembering:
first, make sure that the angle you have is the angle from the horizontal axis (the "x" axis, or the east-west axis). If you are given the angle from the vertical axis, subtract that angle from 90 to get the other.

If you are using the angle "from the horizontal" then the x component (Vx) will always be the magnitude of the original vector (Vo) times the cosine of the angle.

The vertical component (Vy) will be Vo times the sine of the angle.

Note, this is a short-cut for those who don't "get" the trigonometry. Things go better if you do "get" the trig, so if this does not help you, we could take this further.
 
  • #3
u can see it graphically
 

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FAQ: Understanding Vectors and Kinematics: A Simple Guide [SOLVED]

What are vectors and how are they used in kinematics?

Vectors are mathematical quantities that have both magnitude and direction. In kinematics, they are used to represent physical quantities such as displacement, velocity, and acceleration.

How do you calculate the magnitude and direction of a vector?

The magnitude of a vector is calculated using the Pythagorean theorem, which involves finding the square root of the sum of the squared components of the vector. The direction of a vector can be determined by using trigonometric functions, such as sine and cosine, to find the angle between the vector and a reference axis.

What is the difference between displacement, velocity, and acceleration?

Displacement is a vector quantity that represents the change in position of an object. Velocity is the rate of change of displacement and has both magnitude and direction. Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity and also has both magnitude and direction.

Can vectors be added or subtracted?

Yes, vectors can be added or subtracted using the parallelogram method or the triangle method. The result of adding or subtracting vectors is a new vector with a magnitude and direction that is determined by the individual components of the original vectors.

How do vectors and kinematics apply to real-world situations?

Vectors and kinematics are used in many fields of science and engineering to understand and predict the motion of objects. They are especially useful in fields such as physics, mechanics, and aerospace engineering to design and analyze the movement of aircraft, rockets, and other vehicles.

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