VECTOR RESOLUTION Any vector directed at an angle to the horizontal (or the vertical) can be thought of having two parts (or components). That is, any vector directed in two dimensions can be thought of as having two components. For example, if a chain pulls upward at an angle on the collar of a dog, then there is a tension force directed in two dimensions. This tension force has two components: an upward component and a rightward component. As another example, consider an airplane that is displaced northwest from O'Hare International Airport (in Chicago) to a destination in Canada. The displacement vector of the plane is in two dimensions (north-west). Thus, this displacement vector has two components: a northward component and a westward component. The process of determining the magnitude of a vector is known as vector resolution.
Any vector directed at an angle to the horizontal (or the
vertical) can be thought ofhaving two parts (or components). That
is, any vector directed in two dimensions canbe thought of as
having two components.For example, if a chain pulls upward at an
angle on the collar of a dog, then there is atension force directed
in two dimensions. This tension force has two components: anupward
component and a rightward component.
As another example, consider an airplane that is displaced
northwest from O'HareInternational Airport (in Chicago) to a
destination in Canada. The displacementvector of the plane is in
two dimensions (north-west). Thus, this displacement vectorhas two
components: a northward component and a westward component.
The process of determining the magnitude of a vector is known as
vectorresolution.
