Vector Components
The scalar projections of a vector along the mutually perpendicular axes of a coordinate system.
Governing formula
Ax = A cos θ, Ay = A sin θ
SI unit
Various
In depth
Decomposing vectors into orthogonal components simplifies multi-dimensional kinematic and force problems into independent one-dimensional scalar calculations along each coordinate axis.
Examples in the real world
A 100 N force exerted at 30° above horizontal has an horizontal component Ax = 100 cos(30°) ≈ 86.6 N and vertical component Ay = 50 N.