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I've never understood how to tell when x and y vector components need to be "switched" to correspond to sin and cos respectively. Example:
In setting up the vectors for an inclined plane problem, it is "more helpful to express the components of W in terms of the angle theta, which the inclined surface makes with the horizontal. In terms of theta, the components of W are:
Wx = W sin theta = mg sin theta (W = mg)
Wy = W cos theta = mg cos theta"
I really can't visually or even conceptually understand why the x now corresponds to sin, and y now corresponds to cos.
Any help would be great, thanks!
(Reference: Page 205 of Physics review notes, Kaplan.)
In setting up the vectors for an inclined plane problem, it is "more helpful to express the components of W in terms of the angle theta, which the inclined surface makes with the horizontal. In terms of theta, the components of W are:
Wx = W sin theta = mg sin theta (W = mg)
Wy = W cos theta = mg cos theta"
I really can't visually or even conceptually understand why the x now corresponds to sin, and y now corresponds to cos.
Any help would be great, thanks!
(Reference: Page 205 of Physics review notes, Kaplan.)