Vector Decomposition Simulator
Master force resolutions on flat surfaces and inclined planes.
About this simulation
- What
- An interactive Physics simulation of Vector Decomposition Simulator.
- Who
- Designed for AP, IB, and A‑Level Physics students.
- How
- Runs in any modern browser — drag, adjust, and explore in real time.
Updated 2026-03-15
Key Concepts
Vector Magnitude & Angle
The total length of the vector and its direction relative to a reference axis.
Orthogonal Components
Two vectors at 90° to each other (Fx and Fy) that add up to the original vector.
Parallelogram Rule
A visual method showing that the diagonal of a rectangle formed by the components equals the original vector.
Understanding Vector Decomposition
Vector decomposition revolves around breaking a single vector into two perpendicular components. This is crucial in physics to analyze forces independently along different axes.
The most common components are horizontal ($F_x$) and vertical ($F_y$). However, on an inclined plane, decomposing forces parallel and perpendicular to the slope simplifies the math immensely.
Try rotating the coordinate axes in the simulator to see how the component magnitudes change while the original vector remains exactly the same.
