Physics forces (like gravity) only work in straight lines (X and Y). But what if you fire a cannon diagonally?
Trigonometry is the tool we use to chop a diagonal action into its horizontal (X) and vertical (Y) parts so we can calculate where the ball will land.
Notice how changing the angle changes the Blue (Cosine) and Red (Sine) arrows.
• Cosine tells us how fast the ball moves forward.
• Sine tells us how hard the ball fights gravity to go up.