Components of Vectors

A truss bridge is composed of interconnected

beams arranged in a repeated triangular pattern.

2
Each component of
the bridge adds to its
ability to hold its own
weight as well as the
weight of everything
that uses it.
3
Some of its parts can
accommodate
compression forces
while some handle
tension forces.
4
 A force, which is a vector quantity, being
experienced by a diagonal beam in the bridge
can be resolved into its two components.

Determination of these force components is

important in calculating and determining its
maximum strength.

5
How are the components of
forces determined?

6
Components of a Vector

Consider a displacement vector pointing northeast.

7
 Components of a Vector

It also has a component along the north (vertical axis).

8
Components of a Vector

It has a component along the east (horizontal axis).

9
Components of a Vector

A vector can be resolved into its components.

10
Components of a Vector

Can you resolve the components in this vector?

11
 Components of a Vector

The direction of the vector

can be presented as angle 𝜃
(Greek letter for theta),
measured in a
counterclockwise
direction from the +x-axis.

12
 Components of a Vector

Consider a right triangle below.

13
 Components of a Vector

The sides of the triangle can be defined from the angle.

Legend:
h = hypotenuse (hyp)
o = opposite (opp)
a = adjacent (adj)

14
 Components of a Vector

Trigonometric functions can be expressed as the following

equations:

15
In calculating the sine, cosine, and
tangent, make sure that your calculator
is in degree mode since the angles or
directions are given in degrees.
Otherwise, you will get a different value
for your final answer.

16
 Components of a Vector

Suppose we have the following displacement vector.

17
 Components of a Vector

It has a component in the vertical axis.

18
 Components of a Vector

It has a component in the horizontal axis.

19
 Components of a Vector

The relationships between its components and its angle can

be expressed as the given equations:

20
 Components of a Vector

Hence, trigonometrically, we can define the components as

the following equations.

21
When should you use the given
equations for the x- and y-
components of a vector?

22
What are the x- and y-components of a displacement
vector with a magnitude of 50 m and an angle of 30°?

23
What are the x- and y-components of a displacement
vector with a magnitude of 50 m and an angle of 30°?

The x-component of the vector is 43.30 m while its y-

component is 25 m.
24
Find the components of a velocity
vector 60 m/s, 20°.

25
A car has a displacement of 750 m, 45° north of west.
What are the components of the displacement
vector?

26
A car has a displacement of 750 m, 45° north of west.
What are the components of the displacement
vector?

The x-component of the vector is ‒530.33 m while its y-

component is 530.33 m.
27
Alexa pushed a crate with a force of 120
N, at an angle of 15° south of west. What
are its components?

28
A vector located in the second quadrant has an x-
component of ‒80 m at an angle of 20°, as shown in
the figure below. Find the magnitude of the vector
and its y-component.

29
A vector located in the second quadrant has an x-
component of ‒80 m at an angle of 20°, as shown in
the figure below. Find the magnitude of the vector
and its y-component.

The magnitude of the vector is 233.90 m while its y-

component is 219.80 m.
30
A vector located in the fourth quadrant
has an angle 𝜃 = ‒60° and has a y-
component of ‒35 N. Find the (a)
magnitude of the vector and (b) its x-
component.

31
 Calculating the Resultant Vector

● In the same way that a vector can be resolved into its

components, a vector’s magnitude and direction can also
be calculated using its components.

● Trigonometric functions involving the angle and the ratio

of the sides of a right triangle can also be used to
calculate the resultant vector.

32
 Calculating the Resultant Vector

The resultant vector can be calculated using Pythagorean

theorem.

33
 Calculating the Resultant Vector

The angle or direction of the vector is determined using the

inverse tangent function of the ratio of the x- and y-
components.

To ensure that your final answer is correct it is very

important that you check the signs of the x- and y-
components. 34
It would be very helpful to draw a
sketch to identify the location of the x-
and y-components. In this way, you will
be able to easily identify the location of
the angle (direction) in the Cartesian
plane.

35
What is the magnitude and direction of a
displacement vector if its components are as
follows: Ax = 10 m, Ay = 5 m?

36
What is the magnitude and direction of a
displacement vector if its components are as
follows: Ax = 10 m, Ay = 5 m?

The displacement vector has a magnitude of 11.18 m

and a direction of 𝜃 = 26.57° or 26.57° north of east.
37
A force vector has components of Fx = 90
N and Fy = 120 N. What is the magnitude
and direction of the said vector?

38
An airplane covered a displacement vector with
components of Dx= ‒2500 km and Dy= 1800 km. What
is the magnitude and direction of the displacement
vector?

39
An airplane covered a displacement vector with
components of Dx= ‒2500 km and Dy= 1800 km. What
is the magnitude and direction of the displacement
vector?

The displacement vector has a magnitude of 3080.58

km and a direction of 𝜃 = 144.25° from the +x-axis.
40
A truck traveled at a specific velocity. It
has components of Vx = 75 m/s and Vy = ‒
90 m/s. What is the velocity of the
truck?

41
A displacement vector located in the first quadrant
has a magnitude of 50 km and has an x-component
of 44 km. Find the (a) y-component of the vector and
(b) its direction from the +x-axis.

42
A displacement vector located in the first quadrant
has a magnitude of 50 km and has an x-component
of 44 km. Find the (a) y-component of the vector and
(b) its direction from the +x-axis.

The y-component of the vector is 23.75 km. The

direction of the vector is 28.36° from the +x-axis.
43
A force vector located in the third
quadrant has a magnitude of 265 N and
has a y-component of ‒150 N. What is
the x-component of the force vector?
What is its direction when measured
from the +x-axis.

44
Identify the components of the following vectors.

1. 35 m, 75°

2. 20 km, 10° north of east

3. 65 N, 55° south of west

45
Calculate the magnitude and direction of the vector
using the following components.

1. Ax = 250 N, Ay = 550 N

2. Ax = 5 km, Ay = 8 km

3. Ax = ‒850 m, Ay = ‒600 m
46
● A vector at an angle can be resolved into its two
components: a component parallel to the
horizontal axis (x-axis) and another component
parallel to the vertical axis (y-axis).

● The components of a vector are calculated using

the trigonometric functions sine and cosine.

47
● Angle 𝜃 should be measured in a
counterclockwise direction from the positive x-
axis to use the given equations for the x- and y-
components.

● The magnitude and direction of a vector can be

calculated through its two components using the
Pythagorean theorem and the tangent function.
48
 Concept Formula Description

Use this formula to

Components of
solve the x-
Vectors where
component of a
● Ax is the x-
vector.
component of the
vector
● A is the magnitude
of the vector
● 𝜃 is the angle
measured from the
+x-axis 49
 Concept Formula Description

Use this formula to

Components of
solve the y-
Vectors where
component of a
● Ay is the y-
vector.
component of the
vector
● A is the magnitude
of the vector
● 𝜃 is the angle
measured from the
+x-axis 50
 Concept Formula Description

Use this formula to

Components of
solve the magnitude
Vectors where
of a vector.
● A is the magnitude
of the vector
● Ax is the x-
component of the
vector
● Ay is the y-
component of the
vector 51
 Concept Formula Description

Use this formula to

Components of
determine the
Vectors where
direction of a vector.
● 𝜃 is the angle
● Ax is the x-
component of the
vector
● Ay is the y-
component of the
vector
52