Topic explanation

Standard explanation

The process of splitting a vector into two or more component vectors along specified directions is called the resolution of a vector.

Key points

• Define the resolution of a vector.
• Explain rectangular components of a vector.
• Resolve a vector along the horizontal and vertical axes.
• Select sine or cosine according to the given angle.
• Adjacent uses cosine, and opposite uses sine.
• Component signs depend on direction and quadrant.
• Aₓ = A cos θ and Aᵧ = A sin θ when θ is from the horizontal.
• A = √(Aₓ² + Aᵧ²)

Labelled diagram