Question

What is the standard form for the resolution of a vector having magnitude ‘a’ and is inclined at an angle θ to the X axis?

(a) a(cos θ î + sin θ ĵ)

(b) a(sin θ î + cos θ ĵ)

(c) a(sin θ î + sin θ ĵ)

(d) a(cos θ î + cos θ ĵ)

This question was addressed to me in an internship interview.

This interesting question is from Motion in a Plane topic in portion Motion in a Plane of Physics – Class 11

Answer 1

Correct answer is (a) a(cos θ î + sin θ ĵ)

For explanation: The correct answer is a(cos θ î + sin θ ĵ). This is obtained by constructing a right-angled triangle with the distance of the point from the origin with either of the axes and then finding out the corresponding values for X and Y components.