Question

The components of vector are ax and ay (both positive), and the angle that it makes with respect to the positive x axis is θ. Find the angle θ if the components of the displacement vector are (a) ax = 12 m and ay = 12 m, (b) ax = 20 m and ay = 12 m, and (c) ax = 12 m and ay = 20 m.

Answer 1

we can use formula

$\theta=tan^{-1}(\frac{a_y}{a_x})$

(a)

we are given

$a_x=12,a_y=12$

now, we can plug values

$\theta=tan^{-1}(\frac{12}{12})$

$\theta=tan^{-1}(1)$

$\theta=\frac{\pi}{4}rad$

(b)

we are given

$a_x=20,a_y=12$

now, we can plug values

$\theta=tan^{-1}(\frac{12}{20})$

$\theta=tan^{-1}(\frac{3}{5})$

$\theta=30.96^{\circ \:}$

(c)

we are given

$a_x=12,a_y=20$

now, we can plug values

$\theta=tan^{-1}(\frac{20}{12})$

$\theta=tan^{-1}(\frac{5}{3})$

$\theta=59.03^{\circ \:}$