The discussion focuses on using the arctangent function to find the angle between two vector displacements in physics. Specifically, the angle can be calculated using the formula Arctan(Ry/Rx), where Ry and Rx represent the y and x components of the vector, respectively. The arctangent function provides the principal value of the angle between -90 and 90 degrees, which is essential for determining the angle relative to the positive x-axis. The example provided involves calculating the angle when R is 218.684158367 and the other displacement is 187.
PREREQUISITESThis discussion is beneficial for physics students, educators, and anyone involved in vector analysis or trigonometric calculations in scientific contexts.
HallsofIvy said:If Ry and Rx are the y and x components of a vector, then there is a right angle between them- the x and y axes are at right angles. So, yes, Arctan(Ry/Rx) is the angle the vector makes with the positive x axis. (Since tangent is periodic, arctan is multivalued. Arctan is the "principal" value between -90 and 90 degrees. Make sure that is what you want.)