A vector of magnitude 20 N acts at 30 degrees above the horizontal. Its horizontal component is
Correct answer: C. 17.3 N
- A. 10 N
- B. 20 N
- C. 17.3 N
- D. 11.5 N
Explanation
The horizontal component is 20 cos 30, and cos 30 is 0.866, so the component is 17.3 N. The vertical component is 20 sin 30, which is 10 N, and that is the value offered as the distractor. Note that the components are always smaller than the vector itself, which is a quick sanity check.
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About Rectangular Components
A vector is resolved into perpendicular horizontal and vertical components using trigonometric relations, usually as Ax = A cos θ and Ay = A sin θ when θ is measured from the horizontal. Questions involve signs in different quadrants, reconstructing a resultant from components, and using components to analyse equilibrium.
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