Question

The horizontal component of weight:
A. is always zero
B. is always equal to the weight
C. is less than the weight, but is not zero
D. depends on the angle of longitude

Answer 1

The horizontal component of a force represents the part of the force which acts in the horizontal direction with respect to the body. The weight of a body always acts in the downward direction with respect to the body.

Complete answer:
We are asked to find out the horizontal component of weight. First let us understand the meaning of the vertical and the horizontal component of a force.
Any force can be resolved into two components which are mutually perpendicular to each other. The horizontal component of a force represents the part of the force which acts in the horizontal direction with respect to the body while the vertical component of a force represents the part of the force which acts in the vertical direction with respect to the body.
Now when we talk about the weight of a body then this force always acts in downward direction with respect to the body. This direction is basically the vertical component of this force and since all the weight of the body acts in the same direction which is downwards, then the value of the horizontal component is always zero irrespective of the inclination of the body.

Hence, the correct answer is option A.

Note:
1. The components of force means that if we apply force equal to and along these two components then the resultant will be the same as the original force.
2. The zero horizontal component of weight means that we can apply no force along this direction to match the downward force due to weight of the body.