A vector has an x component of 5.51 units and a y component of -9.52 units.The angle between the positive direction of the vector and the positive direction of the x axis is approximately
A)30º
B)-30º
C)60º
D)-60º
E)None of these is correct.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

To find the angle between the positive direction of the vector and the positive direction of the x-axis, we need to use the inverse tangent function.

θ = tan⁻¹ (|y/x|)

θ = tan⁻¹ (|-9.52/5.51|) ≈ 60º

Note that we take the absolute value because we are only interested in the angle, not the direction. Since the y component is negative, the angle is in the 4th quadrant, and thus the correct answer is D, -60º.

A Vector Has an X Component of 5