A physics student describes a displacement vector by its rectangular components along…
PHYSICS · Multi-part · A Level · Physics · Mechanics and materials · Mechanics and materials
Problem
A physics student describes a displacement vector by its rectangular components 5m along the positive x–axis and 12m along the positive y–axis.
(i) Explain what is meant by the rectangular components of a vector situated in a plane.
(ii) For the given components, determine the magnitude of the displacement and the angle it makes with the x–axis. Express the angle to the nearest degree.
(iii) Describe in words the physical meaning of the angle obtained, clearly stating in which quadrant the vector lies.