What is the relationship between trigonometry and physics?

[Nano-Passion]

How big of a role does trigonometry play in physics?

I am learning trigonometry as of this instance and I'm finding it to be incredibly interesting and fascinating.

 

[Perfection]

huge, keep at it.

 

[Nano-Passion]

huge, keep at it.

I am! Right now I am trying to completely master the basics and have complete understanding of it. I want to own it! I can't wait till I do, I'm excited haha.

 

[AlephZero]

Ask your question a different way: "How big a role do angles and circles play in physics".

The answer to that should be fairly obvious. Trig is a good way to turn angles and circles into equations.

 

[Nano-Passion]

Ask your question a different way: "How big a role do angles and circles play in physics".

The answer to that should be fairly obvious. Trig is a good way to turn angles and circles into equations.

Thanks, I've imagined a couple things such as spin states and knowing the angle of molecule. It really excited me to know what else it contributes to. I'm sure it does a tremendous amount.

 

[blade123]

Well put it this way. Kinematics, the most basic of physics, is the study of how things move. Trigonometry is the study of angles.

Any thing that moves, moves at an angle. Even if that angle is 0, it's still an angle.

Think about projectile motion. A projectile is shot at 10 m/s at a 30 degree angle. What is its horizontal velocity? Cos 30=vx/10 vx=10cos(30) vx=10(rt(3)/2) vx=5rt(3) m/s.

Also the normal force is mg(cosθ) When on a horizontal surface, cosθ=1, so Fn=mg. But if it's at a 60 degree angle, it's mg/2. As θ->90 Fn->0