Math Problem Statement

Vector addition using analytical method. Vector A = 60N, 245 degrees from +X-axis. Vector B = 70N, 75 degrees north of east. Vector C = 95N, 87 degrees W of north. What is the horizontal component of vector B?

Solution

The problem in the image asks for vector addition using the analytical method, and provides three vectors:

  • Vector A: 60 N, 245245^\circ from the +X-axis
  • Vector B: 70 N, 7575^\circ north of east
  • Vector C: 95 N, 8787^\circ west of north

Let's break this down step-by-step.

1. Convert each vector to its components:

Vector A

  • Magnitude: 60 N
  • Angle: 245245^\circ from the +X-axis (standard position; i.e., counterclockwise from the positive X-axis)
    • This angle places the vector in the third quadrant, so both components will be negative.

Components: Ax=60×cos(245)A_x = 60 \times \cos(245^\circ) Ay=60×sin(245)A_y = 60 \times \sin(245^\circ)

Vector B

  • Magnitude: 70 N
  • Angle: 7575^\circ north of east
    • This means 7575^\circ measured counterclockwise from the positive X-axis.

Components: Bx=70×cos(75)B_x = 70 \times \cos(75^\circ) By=70×sin(75)B_y = 70 \times \sin(75^\circ)

Vector C

  • Magnitude: 95 N
  • Angle: 8787^\circ west of north
    • This is effectively 9087=390^\circ - 87^\circ = 3^\circ west of the positive Y-axis, or 90+3=9390^\circ + 3^\circ = 93^\circ counterclockwise from the positive X-axis.

Components: Cx=95×cos(93)C_x = 95 \times \cos(93^\circ) Cy=95×sin(93)C_y = 95 \times \sin(93^\circ)

2. Add the components

Sum the X and Y components of the three vectors to find the resultant vector components: Rx=Ax+Bx+CxR_x = A_x + B_x + C_x Ry=Ay+By+CyR_y = A_y + B_y + C_y

3. Resultant vector magnitude and direction

The magnitude RR of the resultant vector can be found using: R=Rx2+Ry2R = \sqrt{R_x^2 + R_y^2} And the direction θ\theta is given by: θ=tan1(RyRx)\theta = \tan^{-1}\left(\frac{R_y}{R_x}\right)

I will calculate this step-by-step for you.Here are the detailed results for each vector and the resultant:

Components:

  • Vector A:

    • Ax=25.4NA_x = -25.4 \, \text{N}
    • Ay=54.4NA_y = -54.4 \, \text{N}
  • Vector B:

    • Bx=18.1NB_x = 18.1 \, \text{N}
    • By=67.6NB_y = 67.6 \, \text{N}
  • Vector C:

    • Cx=5.0NC_x = -5.0 \, \text{N}
    • Cy=94.9NC_y = 94.9 \, \text{N}

Resultant Vector:

  • Resultant Components:

    • Rx=12.2NR_x = -12.2 \, \text{N}
    • Ry=108.1NR_y = 108.1 \, \text{N}
  • Magnitude: 108.8N108.8 \, \text{N}

  • Direction: 96.496.4^\circ (counterclockwise from the positive X-axis)

Would you like more details on any of these steps, or have any other questions?

Here are 5 questions for further exploration:

  1. How do you calculate the horizontal component of a vector from its magnitude and angle?
  2. What is the importance of breaking vectors into components in vector addition?
  3. How would the result change if one vector's direction were reversed?
  4. Can you verify the direction of the resultant vector using a graphical method?
  5. How can vector addition be applied in real-world physics problems?

Tip: Always ensure angles are correctly converted from directional descriptions (e.g., "north of east") to standard angles relative to the X-axis.

Ask a new question for Free

By Image

Drop file here or Click Here to upload

Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Vector addition
Trigonometry
Component decomposition

Formulas

Ax = A * cos(θ)
Ay = A * sin(θ)
Resultant R = √(Rx^2 + Ry^2)
Angle θ = tan⁻¹(Ry / Rx)

Theorems

Pythagorean Theorem
Trigonometric component decomposition

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 11-12, Introductory College Physics