If a force of 50 pounds is directed 30° from the horizontal, what vector represents this force?

Question

If a force of 50 pounds is directed 30° from the horizontal, what vector represents this force?

Answer 1

I assume it is directed 30 degrees above the positive x-axis.

 

F = 50 pounds

 

F_x = 50 cos(30) pounds = 43.3 pounds

 

F_y = 50 sin(30) = 25 pounds

 

Let i and j be unit vectors along the x and y axes, respectively.  Then

 

F = F_x i + F_y j = (43.3 i + 25 j) pounds