Vectors II

Recap of Vectors I
After working through the Vectors I
module, we expect that you can already:
• Distinguish vector quantities from
scalar quantities
• Represent vectors graphically and
mathematically (including using unit-
vector notation)
• Use vector components to find the
magnitude of a vector
• Add and subtract vectors graphically
and by using components
• Multiply vectors by scalars
 Goals for Vectors II
After working through this module,
you will be able to: 𝐴
𝐴𝑦
θ
• Calculate a vector’s components
from its magnitude and direction 𝐴𝑥
• Calculate a vector’s magnitude and
direction from its components

• Correctly add vectors when given

their magnitudes and directions

• Find components of vectors in

tilted coordinate systems

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Alpine_skiing
 Calculating a Vector’s
Components
From its Magnitude and Direction
 Calculating Components of a Vector
If you know a vector’s magnitude and direction in a coordinate
system, you can use trigonometry to find its x- and y- components.

adjacent opposite
cos(𝜃) = sin(𝜃) =
hypotenuse hypotenuse
𝐴𝑥 𝐴𝑦
cos(𝜃) = sin(𝜃) =
𝐴 𝐴

𝐴𝑥 = 𝐴 cos(𝜃) 𝐴𝑦 = 𝐴 sin(𝜃)

Remember! 𝐴
• “adjacent” is the side next to the angle 𝐴𝑦
• “opposite” is the side across from the angle
θ

Note: 𝜃 is measured from the +𝑥 axis 𝐴𝑥

 Calculating Components
Worked Example:
y (m)
Vector 𝐴 has a magnitude of 4 5
meters (𝐴 = 4 m) and is 4
oriented at an angle 𝜃𝐴 = 60° 3
counter-clockwise from the 𝐴 𝐴𝑦
2
+ 𝑥 axis. Find 𝐴𝑥 and 𝐴𝑦 .
1
𝜃𝐴
0
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1𝐴 2 3 4 5 x (m)
-1 𝑥

-2
See next page for solution
-3

-4

-5
 Calculating Components
y (m)
5
Worked Example:
4
Vector 𝐴 has a magnitude of 4 meters
3
(𝐴 = 4 m) and is oriented at an angle
𝜃𝐴 = 60° counter-clockwise from the 2
𝐴
𝐴𝑦
+ 𝑥 axis. Find 𝐴𝑥 and 𝐴𝑦 . 1
𝜃𝐴 x (m)
0
adjacent opposite -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1
𝐴𝑥 2 3 4 5
cos 𝜃 = hypotenuse sin 𝜃 = hypotenuse -1

-2
𝐴𝑥 𝐴𝑦
cos 𝜃𝐴 = sin 𝜃𝐴 = 𝐴 -3
𝐴
-4
𝐴 cos 𝜃𝐴 = 𝐴𝑥 𝐴 sin 𝜃𝐴 = 𝐴𝑦
-5

4 m cos 60° = 𝐴𝑥 4 m sin 60° = 𝐴𝑦

𝐴 = 2, 2 3 m
2 m = 𝐴𝑥 2 3 m = 𝐴𝑦
or
𝐴 = (2𝑖 + 2 3𝑗) m
 Vector Direction
What if the given angle is not measured from the +𝑥 axis?
Let’s say we are given that 𝐴 has a magnitude of 6 meters and
direction 55° counterclockwise (CCW) from the −𝑥 axis.

+𝑦 axis

−𝑥 axis +𝑥 axis
55°

What angle does 𝐴 make with the +𝑥 axis?

 Vector Direction
What angle does 𝐴 make with the +𝑥 axis?

90° + 90° + 55° = 235°

𝐴 has a direction of +235° counterclockwise from the +𝑥 axis.

+𝑦 axis
We could also report the direction of 𝐴
as −125° (clockwise from the +𝑥 axis)

90o 90o
235° − 360° = −125° 0o
55° +𝑥 axis

𝐴
 Calculating Components
We can use either of the angles measured from the +𝑥 axis to
calculate the components of 𝐴 :

𝐴 cos(235°) = 𝐴𝑥 A sin(235°) = 𝐴𝑦
OR OR
𝐴 cos(−125°) = 𝐴𝑥 A sin(−125°) = 𝐴𝑦

+𝑦 axis
(6 m) −0.574 = 𝐴𝑥 (6 m) −0.819 = 𝐴𝑦

−3.4 m ≅ 𝐴𝑥 −4.9 m ≅ 𝐴𝑦
𝐴𝑥 +235°
Note: When using the angle 0o
from the +𝑥 axis, the calculator +𝑥 axis
−125°
gives the correct positive and
𝐴𝑦
negative signs.
𝐴
 Calculating Components - Shortcut
You can use a “shortcut” angle between the vector and a nearby axis,
but you must assign the appropriate positive and negative signs.
In this example, using the original 55° angle CCW from the −𝑥 axis:
opposite
cos 𝜃 = adjacent sin 𝜃 = hypotenuse
hypotenuse +𝑦 (m)
𝐴𝑥 sin 𝜃 =
𝐴𝑦
−𝑥 (m) 𝐴𝑥
cos 𝜃 = 𝐴 𝐴
55°
𝐴 cos 𝜃 = 𝐴𝑥 𝐴 sin 𝜃 = 𝐴𝑦 𝐴𝑦
6 m cos 55° = 𝐴𝑥 6 m sin 55° = 𝐴𝑦
𝐴
3.4 m ≅ 𝐴𝑥 4.9 m ≅ 𝐴𝑦
𝐴𝑥 points in the negative 𝐴𝑦 points in the negative
x direction, so we give it y direction, so we give it
a negative sign: a negative sign: Note that this
matches the
𝐴𝑥 ≅ −3.4 m 𝐴𝑦 ≅ −4.9 m previous method!
 Practice #1
Vector 𝐵 has a magnitude of 3 meters (𝐵 = 3 m) and is oriented at an
angle 60 clockwise from the −𝑥 axis. Find 𝐵𝑥 and 𝐵𝑦 .

𝑦 (m)
5

𝐵 3

1
𝜑 = 60° 0 𝑥 (m)
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5
-1

-2

-3

-4

-5

See end of packet for solutions

 Calculating a Vector’s
Magnitude and Direction
From its Components
 Finding the Magnitude from Components
Remember from the Vectors I
module, we can find a vector’s 𝑦 (m)
magnitude if we know its 5

components. 4

If we are given:
3

𝐴𝑥 = −2 m 2

𝐴𝑦 = −2 3 m 𝐴𝑥
1

0
𝐴𝑧 = 0 m -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 𝑥 (m)
-1

We use the Pythagorean Theorem 𝐴 -2

𝐴𝑦 𝐴𝑦
to calculate the magnitude of 𝐴: -3

𝐴= 𝐴2𝑥 + 𝐴2𝑦 + 𝐴𝑧2 𝐴𝑥 -4

-5
2
𝐴= −2 m 2 + −2 3 m + (0 m)2

𝐴=4m
 Finding the Angle from Components
If we know the components, we find the direction using trigonometry.
Given 𝐴𝑥 = −2 m , 𝐴𝑦 = −2 3 m , and 𝐴𝑧 = 0 m:

opposite
tan 𝜑 = 𝑦 (m)
adjacent Caution: Your
𝐴𝑦
calculator doesn’t
tan 𝜑 = 𝐴𝑥 always give the angle
𝐴𝑥
𝜑 𝑥 (m) from the +𝑥 axis.
−2 3 m 𝐴𝑦
tan 𝜑 = Make sure you sketch
−2 m
𝐴 the vector, and think
2 3
tan 𝜑 = carefully about which
2 angle you are finding.
tan 𝜑 = 3
The angle from the Your calculator doesn’t
𝜑 = tan−1 3 + 𝑥 axis would be: know the difference
𝜑 = 60° 180° + 60° = 240° between tan−1 −2−23
and tan−1 223 . (Try it!)
(CCW from –x axis)
 “Magnitude-Angle” Notation
For the previous example, we have found that the magnitude is
𝐴 = 4 m and that the direction is 𝜃 = 240°. An alternate way to
write this out is:
magnitude  direction.

For our example this looks like:

𝐴=𝐴𝜃
𝐴 = 4 m  240°
This is known as “polar” or “magnitude-angle” notation.
 Practice #2
Find the magnitude and direction of vector 𝐵 = − 32 𝑖 + 3 23𝑗 m.

𝑦 (m)
5

2
𝐵𝑦
1
𝐵𝑥
0
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 𝑥 (m)
-1

-2

-3

-4

-5

See end of packet for solutions

 Comprehensive Practice #3
This problem requires concepts from both Vectors I and Vectors II modules.

Given:
𝑦 (m)
A = 2.5 m
50° clockwise from – 𝑥 axis
B=4m 𝐴
35° counterclockwise from – 𝑥 axis

Find the magnitude and direction 50°

35° 𝑥 (m)
of the vector 𝐶 = 𝐴 + 𝐵
• First, find the components of 𝐴
and 𝐵
𝐵
• Next, do the addition
• Then calculate the magnitude and
direction of the resulting vector 𝐶

See end of packet for solutions

 Calculating a Vector’s
Components
in a Tilted Coordinate System
 Tilted Axes: Why?!
You can put your axes anywhere, as long as the
axes stay perpendicular to each other.
“Vertical” means straight
Often, it’s not convenient to use horizontal and toward or away from the
vertical axes. center of the earth.

• It is easier to have one axis in the direction of the “Horizontal” means

acceleration vector. On ramps/hills, that is usually parallel to the horizon.
parallel to the surface.

Force vectors
vertical
𝐹𝑛𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑙
𝐹𝑓𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛

horizontal
𝐹𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦
 Vector Components with Tilted Axes
• Notice that 𝐹𝑛𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑙 and 𝐹𝑓𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 are oriented exactly along the
axes, so we don’t need to do any calculations to find their x- or
y- components.

• However, since the 𝐹𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦 is vertical, NOT in line with the

coordinate system, we must use trigonometry to find its x- and
y- components.

𝐹𝑛𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑙
Let’s say that a ramp is
inclined at a 30° angle from
𝐹𝑓𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
the horizontal. We’ll need to
figure out how this angle is
related to 𝐹𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦 .
𝜃𝐻 = 30° 𝐹𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦
 Tilted Axes: Finding Angles
• Start by describing in
words the angle that you
are given:
“The angle between the
horizontal and the surface of 30°
the ramp is 30°.”
𝜑
• The angle in red must
also be 30°, since it is
also the angle between
the horizontal and the 𝐹𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦
𝜃𝐻 = 30°
surface of the ramp.

• Since we know that the x- and y- axes are perpendicular to each

other, we can figure out what the angle marked 𝜑 must be…
 Tilted Axes: Finding Angles

Looking at the figure,

𝜑 + 30° = 90°

So, solving for 𝜑, 30°

𝜑 = 90° − 30° 𝜑

𝜑 = 60°

Note: There are a lot of ways to 𝐹𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦

approach this. (Ask an SLC 𝜃𝐻 = 30°
assistant for help if this way is
confusing for you!)

We can use a similar method to find the angle that 𝐹𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦 makes
with the y-axis.
 Tilted Axes: Finding Angles
• We know 𝐹𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦
always points straight
down toward the center
of the earth (vertically
downward).
𝜑 = 60°
• Looking at the figure,
𝛼
𝜑 + 𝛼 = 90°
60° + 𝛼 = 90° 𝐹𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦
𝜃𝐻 = 30°
So, solving for 𝛼,
𝛼 = 90° − 60° = 30°

• Now that we’ve found an angle between 𝐹𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦 and one of our axes,
we can find the x- and y- components of this force.
 Tilted Axes: Components
Worked Example:
Let’s say the magnitude of the gravitational force is 20 Newtons
(𝐹𝑔 = 20 N). How would you calculate 𝐹𝑔𝑥 and 𝐹𝑔𝑦 ?

• First, how would you

sketch 𝐹𝑔𝑥 and 𝐹𝑔𝑦 ?

See next page for solution

30°
𝐹𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦
𝐹𝑔 = 20 N
𝜃𝐻 = 30°
 Tilted Axes: Components
Worked Example:
Let’s say the magnitude of the gravitational force is 20 Newtons (𝐹𝑔 = 20 N). How
would you calculate 𝐹𝑔𝑥 and 𝐹𝑔𝑦 ?
• First, how would you sketch 𝐹𝑔𝑥 and 𝐹𝑔𝑦 ?

Be careful!
Drawing the x- and y- components
can be tricky:
• 𝐹𝑔𝑥 must be parallel to the tilted x-axis.
• 𝐹𝑔𝑦 must be parallel to the tilted y-axis.
• 𝐹𝑔𝑥 must be perpendicular to 𝐹𝑔𝑦
𝐹𝑔𝑦
30°

Solution continues on next page 𝐹𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦

𝐹𝑔 = 20 N 𝐹𝑔𝑥
𝜃𝐻 = 30°
 Tilted Axes: Components
• It is common to use the 30° angle as a
shortcut. (Instead of using 𝜃 = −120°
from the +𝑥 axis.)

• If we use the 30° shortcut, we have

𝐹𝑔𝑦
to put in the correct negative signs, 30°
and do the trig carefully: 𝐹𝑔 = 20 N
30° 𝐹𝑔𝑥
adjacent
cos 𝛼 = hypotenuse opposite
sin 𝛼 = hypotenuse
𝐹𝑔𝑦 𝐹𝑔𝑥
cos 𝛼 = sin 𝛼 = Note that when we use this
𝐹𝑔 𝐹𝑔
30° angle, cos gives 𝐹𝑔𝑦 and
𝐹𝑔 cos 𝛼 = 𝐹𝑔𝑦 𝐹𝑔 sin 𝛼 = 𝐹𝑔𝑥 sin gives 𝐹𝑔𝑥
(20 N) cos 30° = 𝐹𝑔𝑦 (20 N) sin 30° = 𝐹𝑔𝑥
10 3 N = 𝐹𝑔𝑦 10 N = 𝐹𝑔𝑥 𝐹𝑔𝑥 and 𝐹𝑔𝑦 both point in the
negative direction, so we
−10 3 N = 𝐹𝑔𝑦 −10 N = 𝐹𝑔𝑥 give them negative signs.
 Practice #4
• At a particular instant, a pendulum has swung down to an angle of
60° from the horizontal, as shown below.
• The magnitude of 𝐹𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦 is given as 6 Newtons.
• Find the x- and y- components of 𝐹𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦 .

𝜃𝑃 = 60°

𝐹𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛

𝐹𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦

See end of packet for solutions

 Relevant and Irrelevant Information
• Often in a physics problem, you’re given lots of information, but
you have to figure out what is relevant.
• Pay attention to units!
• Can you use the 8 meters shown
in the figure to find the force of Force vectors
gravity?
𝐹𝑛𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑙
𝐹𝑓𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛

𝐹𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦
𝜃𝐻 = 30°
 Relevant and Irrelevant Information
• Often in a physics problem, you’re given lots of information, but
you have to figure out what is relevant.
• Pay attention to units!
Force vectors
• Can you use the 8 meters shown
in the figure to find the force of 𝐹𝑛𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑙
gravity? 𝐹𝑓𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛

NO!
• Even though the picture is drawn 𝐹𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦
so it looks like 8 meters and 𝜃𝐻 = 30°
𝐹𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦 form two sides of a
triangle, they are completely
different things with completely different units!
• When using trigonometry, all sides of your triangle must have the
same units!!
 Recap for Vectors II
After working through this module, 𝐴
you should now be able to: 𝐴𝑦
θ
• Calculate a vector’s components
from its magnitude and direction
𝐴𝑥
• Calculate a vector’s magnitude and
direction from its components
• Correctly add vectors when given
their magnitudes and directions
• Find components of vectors in
tilted coordinate systems

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Alpine_skiing
If you have any questions, please refer
to the SLC assistants for help!
 Practice #1 Solution
Vector 𝐵 has a magnitude of 3 meters (𝐵 = 3 m) and is oriented at an angle 60 clockwise from
the −𝑥 axis. Find 𝐵𝑥 and 𝐵𝑦 .
+𝑦 (m)
Note that you can also use the angle that 𝐵
𝐵 makes with the −𝑥 axis. This requires you
𝐵𝑦
𝜃𝐵 = 180° − 60° to assign correct signs for 𝐵𝑥 and 𝐵𝑦 .
𝜑 = 60° 𝜃𝐵 = 120°
adjacent opposite
cos 𝜃 = hypotenuse sin 𝜃 = hypotenuse
𝐵𝑥 +𝑥 (m)
𝐵𝑦
cos 𝜃 = 𝐵𝐵𝑥 sin 𝜃 = 𝐵
𝐵 cos 𝜃 = 𝐵𝑥 𝐵 sin 𝜃 = 𝐵𝑦
The angle from +𝑥 axis to vector 𝐵 is 3 m cos 60° = 𝐵𝑥 3 m sin 60° = 𝐵𝑦
180° − 60° = 120°.
1.5 m = 𝐵𝑥
3 23 m = 𝐵𝑦
𝐵 cos 𝜃𝐵 = 𝐵𝑥 𝐵 sin 𝜃𝐵 = 𝐵𝑦
𝐵𝑥 points in the negative x direction, so it
3 m cos 120° = 𝐵𝑥 3 m sin 120° = 𝐵𝑦 needs a negative sign.

−1.5 m = 𝐵𝑥 3 3
m = 𝐵𝑦
−1.5 m = 𝐵𝑥 3 23 m = 𝐵𝑦
2

𝐵 = (−1.5𝑖 + 3 23𝑗) m
 Practice #2 Solution
Find the magnitude and direction of vector 𝐵 = − 32 𝑖 + 3 23𝑗 m.

𝐵 = Bx 𝑖 + By 𝑗 + Bz 𝑘
Direction:
( Bx = − 3
m, By = 3 23 m, Bz = 0)
2
Step 1: Sketch the 𝐵
vector 𝐵𝑦
Magnitude:
𝐵𝑥
Use Pythagorean Theorem

𝐵= 𝐵𝑥2 + 𝐵𝑦2 + 𝐵𝑧2

2
Step 2: Use trigonometry to find either
3 2 3
𝐵= −2 m + 3 2
m + (0)2 𝜃1 or 𝜃2
𝐵𝑥
9 2 27 2
𝐵= 4
m + 4
m Since we ultimately
𝐵 𝜃1 𝐵𝑦
want the angle from
𝐵 =3m the positive x-axis,
𝜃2
let’s find 𝜃1

Solution continues on next page

 Practice #2 Solution Continued
Find the magnitude and direction of vector 𝐵 = − 32 𝑖 + 3 23𝑗 m.
Step 3: Use Trigonometry to find 𝜃1 Step 4: Now that we have 𝜃1, we want to find the
total angle from the +x axis. We add 90ᵒ to 𝜃1
opp (because the angle between the x and y axis is
tan 𝜃1 =
adj always 90ᵒ)
𝜽1
𝐵𝑥 𝜃𝐵 = 90° + 𝜃1
tan 𝜃1 =
𝐵𝑦 𝜃𝐵 = 90° + 30°
−3 2 m 𝜃𝐵 = 120°
tan 𝜃1 =
3 23 m

3
tan 𝜃1 = 2
3 𝜃1 = 30°
2 3
1 𝐵 = 3 m ∠ 120°
tan 𝜃1 =
3 𝐵 𝜃𝐵 = 90° + 30°
𝜃𝐵 = 120°
1
𝜃1 = tan−1
3
𝜃1 = 30ᵒ
 Practice #3 Solution
+𝑦 (m)
A = 2.5 m
50° CW from – 𝑥 axis
B= 4m
35° CCW from – 𝑥 axis
𝐴𝑦
𝐴
Find the magnitude and direction of 50°
180° − 50° = 130°
the vector 𝐶 = 𝐴 + 𝐵.
𝐵𝑥 +𝑥 (m)
𝐴𝑥 35°
• First, find the components of 𝐴 and 𝐵 𝐵𝑦 − 180 − 35 ° = −145°

𝐴 cos 𝜃𝐴 = 𝐴𝑥 𝐴 sin 𝜃𝐴 = 𝐴𝑦 𝐵 cos 𝜃𝐵 = 𝐵𝑥 𝐵 sin 𝜃𝐵 = 𝐵𝑦

(2.5 m) cos(130°) = 𝐴𝑥 (2.5 m) sin(130°) = 𝐴𝑦 (4 m) cos( −145°) = 𝐵𝑥 (4 m) sin(−145°) = 𝐵𝑦
−1.61 m ≅ 𝐴𝑥 1.92 m ≅ 𝐴𝑦 −3.28 m ≅ 𝐵𝑥 −2.29 m ≅ 𝐵𝑦

𝐴 = −1.61𝑖 + 1.92𝑗 + 0𝑘 m 𝐵 = −3.28𝑖 − 2.29𝑗 + 0𝑘 m

Solution continues on next page

 Practice #3 Solution Continued
Find the magnitude and direction of the vector 𝐶 = 𝐴 + 𝐵.
• First, find the components of 𝐴 and 𝐵 𝐴 = −1.61𝑖 + 1.92𝑗 + 0𝑘 m
𝐵 = −3.28𝑖 − 2.29𝑗 + 0𝑘 m
• Next, do the addition
𝐴 −1.61𝑖 + 1.92𝑗 + 0𝑘 m
𝐶𝑥 = 𝐴𝑥 + 𝐵𝑥 = −4.89 m
+𝐵 + −3.28𝑖 − 2.29𝑗 + 0𝑘 m
𝐶 −4.89𝑖 − 0.37𝑗 + 0𝑘 m 𝐶𝑦 = 𝐴𝑦 + 𝐵𝑦 = −0.37 m

𝐶 = −4.89𝑖 − 0.37𝑗 + 0𝑘 m
• Then calculate the magnitude and direction of the resulting vector 𝐶

Magnitude: Direction:
| − 0.37|
opp tan 𝜃 =
tan 𝜃 = | − 4.89|
𝐶= 𝐶𝑥2 + 𝐶𝑦2 + 𝐶𝑧2 adj
|𝐶𝑦 | tan 𝜃 = 0.0757
= −4.89 2 + −0.37 2 + (0)2 tan 𝜃 = 𝜃 = tan−1 (0.0757)
|𝐶𝑥 |
𝐶 = 4.9 m 𝜃 = 4.3°
This angle is measured CCW from the – 𝑥 axis.
The total angle from the +𝑥 axis is 184°

𝐶 = 4.9 m  184°
 Practice #4 Solution
If 𝐹𝑔 = 6 N, find 𝐹𝑔𝑥 and 𝐹𝑔𝑦 .
• Notice that 60 is the angle between the horizontal and the tilted y-axis.
Since 𝐹𝑔 points vertically downward, we know 60° + 𝜑 = 90°, so 𝜑 = 30°
• Similarly, 30o + 𝛼 = 90o
𝛼 = 60o
𝜃𝑃 = 60°
• This angle is in the
clockwise direction from
the +x axis, so to get the
standard direction, we 𝐹𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛
give it a negative sign:
60° 𝛼
𝛼= −60o 𝜑
𝐹𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦

Solution continues on next page

 Practice #4 Solution Continued
Make sure to draw 𝐹𝑔𝑥 and 𝐹𝑔𝑦
parallel to their respective axes
𝜃𝑃 = 60°
𝐹𝑔 cos 𝛼 = 𝐹𝑔𝑥
6 N cos(−60°) = 𝐹𝑔𝑥
3 N = 𝐹𝑔𝑥 𝐹𝑔𝑥

𝐹𝑔 sin 𝛼 = 𝐹𝑔𝑦 30° 𝐹𝑔𝑦

6 N sin(−60°) = 𝐹𝑔𝑦 𝐹𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝛼 = −60o

−3 3 N = 𝐹𝑔𝑦

3 N = 𝐹𝑔𝑥 Reminder: If we use 𝛼, measured from the

+ 𝑥 axis, the calculator gives the appropriate
−3 3 N = 𝐹𝑔𝑦 positive and negative signs