PDA

View Full Version : Magnitude and direction


Chocolaty
Oct11-05, 07:36 PM
I just can't figure out how to determine the magnitude and direction of the wind's velocity with this information, the combinasons of possibilities seem endless.

An airplane travelling at a cruising velocity of 1000 km/h is headed south toward a destination of 1500 km away. In order to maintain its southward heading, the airplane must travel on a course [S15°W].

Determine the magnitude and direction of the wind's velocity.

Thanks in advance

z-component
Oct11-05, 07:58 PM
Hint: Try drawing a diagram of the velocity vectors on a coordinate system to visualize what's going on.

Chocolaty
Oct11-05, 10:00 PM
I'm coming up with 261 km/h [E7,5°S]

I'm not too sure about this answer though, can anyone tell me if i'm right or not?

mathmike
Oct11-05, 10:17 PM
add two of the vectors and see if you come up with the third

Novolks
Apr18-09, 02:00 AM
I'm not too sure why they give you the 1500km away, unless theres more to the question. I'm sorry if my diagram is rudimentary.