Physics - Resolving Vectors

OCR A-Level Physics 2022

Created: September 21, 2020 | Read markdown | About these notes | View in context | Study these flashcards |

Resolving Vectors

This links to Physics - Combining VectorsA, since it’s like doing it in reverse.

What resolving means

What is resolving vectors?

resolving-vectors-definition

Finding the horizontal and vertical component of a vector.

What is resolving vectors opposite to…?

resolving-opposite-to-combining

Combining a vector.

Notation for components

How is the horizontal component of $F$ written?

horizontal-component-notation

$F _ x$.

What is $F _ x$?

fx-meaning

The horizontal component of vector $F$.

How is the vertical component of $F$ written?

vertical-component-notation

$F _ y$.

What is $F _ y$?

fy-meaning

The vertical component of vector $F$.

What are the components of a vector?

components-of-a-vector-definition

The horizontal and vertical vectors that are at right angles and combine to give the original vector.

What do the horizontal and vertical components of a vector look like?

components-visualisation

Formulae for the components

What is the formula for the vertical component of a vector $F$?

vertical-component-formula
\[F _ y = F \sin \theta\]

What is the formula for $F _ y$ of vector $F$?

fy-formula
\[F _ y = F \sin \theta\]

What is the formula for the horizontal component of a vector $F$?

horizontal-component-formula
\[F _ x = F \cos \theta\]

What is the formula for $F _ x$ of vector $F$?

fx-formula
\[F _ x = F \cos \theta\]

Choosing sine or cosine

If you’re moving through a force’s angle, you use?

moving-through-angle-cosine
\[F \cos \theta\]

If you’re moving away from a force’s angle, you use?

moving-away-from-angle-sine
\[F \sin \theta\]

What is $F _ x + F _ y$?

components-sum-to-resultant
\[F\]


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