Question

An object travels with velocity v = 4.0 meters/second and it makes an angle of 60.0° with the positive direction of the y-axis. Calculate the possible values of vx.

Answer 1

Answer:

2 m/s and -2 m/s

Explanation:

The object travels with an angle of

60.0°

with the positive direction of the y-axis: this means that it lies either in the 1st quadrant (positive x) or in the 2nd quadrant (negative x).

If it lies in the 1st quadrant, the value of vx (component of v along x direction) is:

$v_x = v cos \theta = (4.0 m/s) cos 60.0^{\circ}=2 m/s$

If it lies in the 2nd quadrant, the value of vx (component of v along x direction) is:

$v_x = -v cos \theta = -(4.0 m/s) cos 60.0^{\circ}=-2 m/s$