Question

The diagram shows components that have been added together to form Rx and Ry. Rx and Ry are the components of the resultant vector.

Three vectors drawn on the x y plane. The first vector is drawn in the positive x direction along the x axis and labeled R Subscript x Baseline. The second is drawn tail to tip method north and labeled R Subscript y Baseline. The last is drawn from the tail of the first to the head of the second and labeled R. The angle between R and R Subscript x Baseline is labeled theta.

Which formula can be used to find the angle of the resultant vector?

Answer 1

tan θ = Ry / Rx, so θ = arctan(Ry / Rx).

(If using signs to get the correct quadrant, use θ = atan2(Ry, Rx) or add 180° as needed when Rx < 0.)