Can Vectors with an angle 180(degrees+) have a negative magnitude?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

Vectors with angles greater than 180 degrees can indeed have negative components depending on their direction. In the case of a vector measuring 260 km at 48 degrees south of east, the components are calculated using the sine and cosine functions. The convention used states that counterclockwise angles are positive while clockwise angles are negative. Therefore, the vertical component (V_y) is negative, reflecting the southward direction, while the horizontal component (V_x) remains positive, indicating the eastward direction.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of vector components and their calculations
  • Familiarity with trigonometric functions: sine and cosine
  • Knowledge of angle measurement conventions in physics
  • Basic grasp of Cartesian coordinate systems
NEXT STEPS
  • Study vector decomposition techniques in physics
  • Learn about the unit circle and its application in trigonometry
  • Explore the concept of angles in different quadrants
  • Investigate the implications of negative vector components in real-world scenarios
USEFUL FOR

Students studying physics, particularly in mechanics, as well as anyone interested in understanding vector analysis and trigonometric applications in two-dimensional space.

SaltyBriefs
Messages
10
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


Can vectors with 180+(degrees) have a negative magnitude? I'm trying to find components of a vector that is going 260 km, 48 (degrees) south of east. So I'm confused whether the 260 is positive or not because of the -48 degrees.

Homework Equations


(\vec{V}) (sin\theta)
(\vec{V}) (cos\theta)

The Attempt at a Solution


(-260km)(sin(48)) or (260km)(sin(48)) =\vec{V}_{y}

(-260km)(cos(48)) or (260km)(cos(48)) =\vec{V}_{x}

Which one??
 
Physics news on Phys.org
sin(x) = -sin(-x)

cos(x) = cos(-x)

Hope that helps.

Just use the convention that counterclockwise is positive and clockwise is negative in terms of measuring an angle.
 
Last edited:
WatermelonPig said:
sin(x) = -sin(-x)

cos(x) = cos(-x)

Hope that helps.

Just use the convention that counterclockwise is positive and clockwise is negative in terms of measuring an angle.
Thank you this helped so much! But um just a quick question, why is sin negative? O.o
 
SaltyBriefs said:
Thank you this helped so much! But um just a quick question, why is sin negative? O.o

Oh wait is this from cos, sin
and since it is in the 4th quadrant, y is negative (sin) and x is positive (cos)
 

Similar threads

Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
1K
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
3K
Replies
4
Views
1K
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
1K
Replies
3
Views
3K
Replies
8
Views
2K