Asked in Premeth Test 20 — Vectors and Equilibrium (physics)Moderate

Let we have a vector F, then its horizontal component is written as:

Correct answer: B. FX = |F|cosθ i

  • A. FX = |F|sinθ i
  • B. FX = |F|cosθ i
  • C. FX = |F|cosθ j
  • D. FY = |F|cosθ i

Explanation

The correct answer is Option B: Fx = |F|cosθ. This formula defines the horizontal component of a vector as the magnitude of the vector times the cosine of the angle between the vector and the positive x-axis. Using sinθ, tanθ, or secθ in place of cosθ would result in incorrect calculations for the horizontal component.

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About Vectors and Equilibrium

Vectors have magnitude and direction, unlike scalars, and are combined by head-to-tail or parallelogram methods. Work covers rectangular components, equilibrium when the resultant force is zero, the scalar product for work and projections, and the vector product for torque and cross-product direction using the right-hand rule.

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