IIT JEE , AIEEE Forum - Mathematics , Vectors

srujana

A vector dosent have a component in the direction perpendicular to it. But if we resolve a vector along X and Y axes and resolve the component on Y axis in the direction perpendicular to the vector we get the perpendicular component of the vector. How??

nitwit

when a vector is resolved along x axis and y axis we take into account the angle theta between the vector and x axis usually.
the angle between the y axis is (90-theta). when the y axis component is resolved with respect to vector the vector becomes x axis and (90-theta) now becomes the angle . the other resolved component would thus be perpendicular to the original vector..

srujana

But a vector cannot have a component perpendicular to it right???

nitwit

yes..
but when the perpendicular vector is obtained
you are resolving the y axis, which is not the original vector

nadeemoidu

You are resolving the component on the Y axis only . If you resolve the component on the X axis also , it will be equal and opposite and hence they will be cancelled .

rocking_rr

i think components are magnitudes of the original vector in specified directions and it is wrong to talk abt component of a component

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