PDA

View Full Version : vector help


pringless
Sep19-03, 05:01 PM
A jet airliner moving initially at 795 mph to the east where there is no wind moves into a region where the wind is blowing at 140 mph in a direction 56 degrees north of east. What is the new speed of the aircraft with respect to the ground? Answer in units of mph.

how can i start this off

HBar
Sep19-03, 05:17 PM
The first step would be to draw a vector diagram. Draw the normal cartesian coordinate system, assign the axes a direction (i.e. +y is north, -y is south, +x is east, -x is south). Since the plane relative to the air is traveling east at 795 mph draw a vector starting from the origin and going east (+x). Now draw the wind as a vector (starting from origin with an angle of 56 degrees from the +x axes). Now you have a vector diagram. That is the first step. Good Luck!
-HBar