How do I determine whether an angle is in relation to the x vector or the y vector?

Question

I am taking Physics 2 this summer and we are determining the the net force acting upon charges arranged in a right triangle. This involves x and y vectors. I can find the net force and sketch it as the slope of an angle between the x axis and the y axis but how do I determine whether this force is at an angle relative to the x axis or the y axis?

Answer 1

hi

Answer 2

JJ -

I'm not sure that it matters. I suspect that the solution will be the same regardless of how the vectors are oriented in a coordinate system. Pick the x axis and arrange it that way and solve it. Then pick the y axis and solve it again. I think you may get the same answer. So pick the one that's easiest to work with.

Or if that does not work, give us some more info on the problem as stated so that we can understand how to help you.