Magnitude and angle counterclockwise from the + x direction

AI Thread Summary
To express the vector -25.3i - 1.2j in terms of magnitude and angle counterclockwise from the +x direction, the arctangent function is used to find the angle. The initial calculation of arctan(-1.2/25.3) yields 2.72 degrees, but adjustments are necessary due to the signs of the vector components. Since both x and y components are negative, 180 degrees must be added, resulting in an angle of 182.72 degrees. This adjustment aligns with the properties of the tangent function and confirms the correct angle when checked against the y/x ratio. The final answer is thus expressed as a magnitude and an angle of 182.72 degrees.
bearbratz
Messages
3
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


Express your answer in part (a) in terms of magnitude and angle counterclockwise from the + x direction.
Vector = -25.3i-1.2j


Homework Equations


arctan(ady/adx)


The Attempt at a Solution


Arctan(-1.2/25.3)=2.72
This is wrong... but I have no idea how to fix it.
 
Physics news on Phys.org


Since tan is a trig function that repeats every 90deg, some consideration must be put into the signs of x and y. Since x and y are both negative, 180deg must be added to the value calculated to obtain the correct value. Likewise, if y is negative and x is positive, 270deg must be added. If x is negative and y is positive, 90deg must be added. This is shown when looking at a plot of the tan function. To confirm this answer (182.72), plug it into tan and see if it gives you your y/x ratio.
 


Thank you very much that worked.
 
I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...
Thread 'Collision of a bullet on a rod-string system: query'
In this question, I have a question. I am NOT trying to solve it, but it is just a conceptual question. Consider the point on the rod, which connects the string and the rod. My question: just before and after the collision, is ANGULAR momentum CONSERVED about this point? Lets call the point which connects the string and rod as P. Why am I asking this? : it is clear from the scenario that the point of concern, which connects the string and the rod, moves in a circular path due to the string...
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'
Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...
Back
Top