Vectors · Physics Reference Tables (2025 Edition)
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The Vectors box from the Reference Tables for Physical Science: Physics (2025 Edition) gives the four relationships between a vector A, its horizontal and vertical components Ax and Ay, and the angle θ it makes with the horizontal, with a diagram of the right triangle they form. It supports HS-PS2-1 (forces and velocities at an angle) and any question in which a force, velocity or displacement has to be split into components or rebuilt from them.
What the vectors box shows
The first relationship is the Pythagorean theorem for the magnitude of a vector from its perpendicular components; the other three come from the right triangle in the diagram and give the components from the magnitude and angle (Ax = A cos θ, Ay = A sin θ) or the angle from the components. θ is measured from the horizontal (the Ax side). The 2006 edition of the physics reference tables had a fuller Geometry and Trigonometry table (areas, volumes and the trigonometric ratios); the 2025 edition keeps only these vector relationships.
Rows
A link or an {{Rt}} chip (Template:Rt) can point at one equation or constant with these anchors; each one lands on the table above:
components– components
Regents Exam Questions
Released Regents questions that cannot be answered without this table, listed by exam. Each link opens the question with its answer key; the standard is the one the question assesses.
No released question has needed this table yet.