Horizontal & Vertical Components of Vectors
A vector in space (3-dimensional) can be defined by its x, y, and z coordinates.
Figure 1:
Point P in 2-D is defined by its Cartesian co-ordinates
(x , y) with respect to the origin (0,0)
We will analyze vectors in two dimensions.
Figure2:
The vector V maps the point P in terms
of its position from the origin
In a two dimensional frame we need only consider its x and y co-ordinates.
Note: In figure 2, the tail of vector V is at the origin and its head ends at point P
Any vector in 2-D can be expressed in terms of its resultant. A resultant is obtained by adding a vector's vertical component in the y direction (see figure 3) to its horizontal component in the x direction (see figure 4) .
Figure 3:
Vy is the vertical component of the
vector v
Figure 4:
Vx is the horizontal component of the
vector v
Figure 5 is a diagram showing both the x and y components defining vector v.
Vecor V is the resultant vector when Vx is added to Vy from the tail of Vx to the head of Vy
Figure 5:
the x and y components of vector v
We can define Vx and Vy in terms of V and the angle using trigonometry:
Know your basic trigonometry functions
Rearrange the first two equations to obtain expressions for Vy and Vx (the x and y components of vector v):
The resultant vector v (see figure 5 above) will now be: v = vx + vy
Examples of problems involving vector components:
1. What are the horizontal and vertical components of an airplane moving at 300 km/h [E650N]?
Refer to diagram below
Here = 65 0 and v = 300 km/h
Answer: Vx = 127 km [to the right] ; Vy = 272 km [up]
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2. What are the components of a vector 8 cm long with bearings [W150S]?
Answer: Vx =7.7 cm [to the left] ; Vy = 2.1 cm[down]
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