Everything Science Grade 11

11.8 CHAPTER 11. VECTORS

Any vector can be resolved into a horizontal and a vertical component. IfA� is a vector, then the
horizontal component ofA� isA�xand the vertical component isA�y.

A� A�y

A�x

Example 9: Resolving a vector intocomponents

QUESTION

A motorist undergoes adisplacement of 250 kmin a direction 30◦north of east. Resolve this

displacement into components in the directionsnorth (�xN) and east (�xE).

SOLUTION

Step 1 : Draw a rough sketch of the original vector

250 km

30 ◦

N

S

W E

Step 2 : Determine the vector component

Next we resolve the displacement into its components north and east. Since

these directions are perpendicular to one another, the components forma right-

angled triangle with theoriginal displacement asits hypotenuse.

250 km

30 ◦

�xE

�xN

N

S

W E