Initial Projectile Velocities
07 Oct 09
Converting Velocities into its X and Y Components
Whenever a vector is given at angles other than 0o, 90o, 180o, 270o, or 360o, the vector just be broken into its X and Y components.
For the example above, the velocity of the projectile is 45 m/s at 30o to the horizon.
By using trig functions, we get the following setup:
Vx
cos 30o = Vx/45
Vx = 45cos(30o)
Vx = 38.9 m/s
Vy
sin 30o = Vy/45
Vy = 45 sin(30o)
Vy = 22.5 m/s
Whenever a question gives vectors at an angle, remember to convert the initial vector into its X and Y components by using trigonometric functions.
Whenever a vector is given at angles other than 0o, 90o, 180o, 270o, or 360o, the vector just be broken into its X and Y components.
For the example above, the velocity of the projectile is 45 m/s at 30o to the horizon.
By using trig functions, we get the following setup:
Vx
cos 30o = Vx/45
Vx = 45cos(30o)
Vx = 38.9 m/s
Vy
sin 30o = Vy/45
Vy = 45 sin(30o)
Vy = 22.5 m/s
Whenever a question gives vectors at an angle, remember to convert the initial vector into its X and Y components by using trigonometric functions.