A hockey puck is given an initial velocity such that 𝑣𝑥 = 12 m/s and 𝑣𝑦 = 18 m/s, where the 𝑥 – 𝑦 plane is horizontal.

Question

What angle does the initial velocity make with the 𝑦 axis?

Answer 1

To find the angle the initial velocity makes with the y-axis, we can use trigonometry.

The angle θ can be found using the formula tan(θ) = |v_y/v_x|.

Given that v_x = 12 m/s and v_y = 18 m/s,

tan(θ) = |18/12| = 1.5

θ = tan^(-1)(1.5) ≈ 56.31 degrees

Therefore, the initial velocity makes an angle of approximately 56.31 degrees with the y-axis.