A force vector has a magnitude of 475 newtons and points at an angle of 26.0 degrees below the negative x axis. What are the x scalar components and y scalar components?
recall your polar coordinates
x = r cosθ
y = r sinθ
here, θ is in QIII
To find the x and y scalar components of a force vector, you can use trigonometry.
First, let's assign the given information to variables:
The magnitude of the force vector, |F| = 475 newtons
The angle below the negative x-axis, θ = 26.0 degrees
To find the x component, you can use the cosine function:
x component = |F| * cos(θ)
Substituting the given values:
x component = 475 newtons * cos(26.0 degrees)
You can use a scientific calculator in degree mode to evaluate this expression. The resulting value will be the x scalar component of the force vector.
To find the y component, you can use the sine function:
y component = |F| * sin(θ)
Substituting the given values:
y component = 475 newtons * sin(26.0 degrees)
Again, you can use a scientific calculator in degree mode to evaluate this expression. The resulting value will be the y scalar component of the force vector.