What is the angle north of east in this kinematics problem?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a kinematics problem involving a walking distance and direction, specifically determining the angle north of east after walking a certain distance. The original poster presents a scenario where they walk 6.0 km in a direction north of east, ending up 2.0 km east and an unspecified distance north.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Problem interpretation, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants suggest drawing a diagram to visualize the problem, with one member describing a triangle formed by the walking path. There is a discussion about identifying the sides of the triangle and the relevance of the opposite side in relation to the angle being sought.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different interpretations of the problem. Some guidance has been offered regarding the use of trigonometric functions and the importance of accurately representing the problem geometrically. There is no explicit consensus on the approach or solution yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the problem setup and the interpretation of the diagram, indicating potential confusion regarding the definitions of the sides of the triangle. The original poster mentions having previously understood similar problems, suggesting a possible gap in their current understanding.

firstwave
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Physics Kinematic Problem -- need help

Well here I am studying for the final and this question pops up and I have no idea how to do it. I know the answer however, but it does not really help me.

If you walk 6.0 km in a straight line in a direction north of east and you end up 2.0 km east and several kilometers north. How many degrees north of east have you walked?

Choices:

a) 19 degrees
b) 45 degrees
c) 60 degrees
d) 71 degrees

Answer: d

Thank you for your help
 
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The trig to this is to try drawing the walk on a piece of paper.
 
Did you draw a diagram? I drew a triangle with a vertex at the origin and the hypotenuse going north and east (up and to the right) for 6 units. The opposite side would be 2 units...Can you finish from there?
 
would it be possible to draw it in the forum?? I still don't get it. I knew how to do this a while ago and it was pretty easy. I did draw a diagram but it didn't really help for some reason. Maybe I read the question wrong, but either way I still don't understand. :cry:

AH HA! Thanks Fred. When you said 'opposite' I thought it meant opposite side of the plane. Ah it means the opposite side. Ok thanks I get it.

Cos -1 (2/6) = 71

:D

Thanks again
 
Last edited:
This is simple. First you walk 6km north of east, you end up 2km east and some km's north . Draw a triangle representing the above values where base=2 and hypotenuse=6

therefore,

[itex]cosQ= \frac{1}{3}[/itex]
 

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