# Thread: Angular Component at a given angle

1. ## Angular Component at a given angle

Hey,

So, I'm writing a program that involves particles with various forces, one of which needs to be able to take the current force vector (magnitude, angle) and determine how much of that force is directed toward a given angle (that is, the angle to a separate particle). It's like finding the x or y components, except not along an axis... so I'm rather at a loss. How would I go about calculating this? I can include an illustration if necessary.

2. ## Re: Angular Component at a given angle

Originally Posted by AndrewM16921
Hey,

So, I'm writing a program that involves particles with various forces, one of which needs to be able to take the current force vector (magnitude, angle) and determine how much of that force is directed toward a given angle (that is, the angle to a separate particle). It's like finding the x or y components, except not along an axis... so I'm rather at a loss. How would I go about calculating this? I can include an illustration if necessary.
just treat your desired direction as an axis. for example, say you have a force of 10 N acting 60 degrees relative to the x-axis. you want the component of the force acting in the direction of the line y = x (45 degrees relative to the x-axis) ... the component of force acting in that direction would be 10cos(60-45 deg) N

3. ## Re: Angular Component at a given angle

Ah, that makes sense! Thanks.