Question

A force of 50 pounds is exerted at an angle of 80 with the horizontal. What is its horizontal component?

Answer 1

Answer:

Option A is the correct answer.

Explanation:

 Any vector can be resolved in to two components. Horizontal component and vertical component.

Consider a vector F which is at angle θ⁰ to the horizontal, we can resolve this vector in to two.

Horizontal component = F cos θ

Vertical component = F sin θ

Here we have Force , F = 50 pounds

Angle with horizontal = 80°

Horizontal component = F cos θ = 50* cos 80 = 8.68 pounds

                                      ≅ 9 lb.

Option A is the correct answer.