Vectors

[Vikash]

Why is it that we take the the vectors i and j to be equal when a particle is travelling north east

 

[Deleted member 4993]

Why is it that we take the the vectors i and j to be equal when a particle is travelling north east

I assume you meant:

...we take the components of a vector along i and j to be equal

We assume North-East direction is equal North (j) and East (i). Similarly particle travelling East is travelling in 1i and 0j.

It is all assumption - but convenient assumption. You may choose to have any set of perpendicular directions as i and j (in this case North and East).

 

[Dr.Peterson]

Why is it that we take the the vectors i and j to be equal when a particle is travelling north east

Motion exactly northeast would be at 45 degrees to the horizontal on a map, so the slope is 1. That is the ratio of vertical to horizontal motion, so the x and y components are equal: