What is the wind velocity in km/h and what angle it it north of east?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around determining the wind velocity affecting a light plane that is headed due south but has ended up traveling southeast, covering a distance less than expected. The problem involves vector analysis in the context of relative motion.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the relationship between the intended and actual velocities of the plane and how to calculate the wind velocity as a vector difference. Some participants question the provided values and the interpretation of angles in the context of the problem.

Discussion Status

The conversation includes various attempts to clarify the calculations and assumptions regarding the velocities. Some participants suggest using vector components to analyze the situation, while others express confusion about the angles involved and the calculations leading to the book's answers.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of discrepancies between the values given in the problem and those in the textbook, leading to questions about the accuracy of the intended and actual velocities. Additionally, there are indications of issues with formatting tools like LaTeX, which may hinder the discussion of mathematical expressions.

physicsss
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A light plane is headed due south with a speed relative to still air of 200 km/h. After 1 hour, the pilot notices that they have covered only 190 km and their direction is not south but southeast. What is the wind velocity in km/h and what angle it it north of east?
 
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The velocity of the wind is the difference between the actual velocity of the plane and the "intended" velocity of the plane.
 
...

not really...in the book the intended is 240 km/h but the actual is 180 km and the answer they give is 170 k/h with an angle of 41.5 N of E.
 
physicsss said:
not really...in the book the intended is 240 km/h but the actual is 180 km and the answer they give is 170 k/h with an angle of 41.5 N of E.

Remember, velocity is a vector!
 
but there's no angles given.
 
Due south and southeast sound like angles to me! :-)
 
i still don't get it. :confused: angle is 45 degrees?
 
LaTex doesn't seem to be working so I'll try this:

The actual speed of the plane is 190/sqrt(2) km/h so it's actual velocity is (1, -1)*190/sqrt(2).

The "intended velocity of the plane is (0, -1)*200 km/h.

The difference between them is the wind velocity:
(190/sqrt(2), 200 - 190/sqrt(2))

Now just divide the y component by the x component to find the tangent of the angle you're looking for.

A drawing might help you see it better.
 
Tide said:
A drawing might help you see it better.

That should be the first thing you do!
 
  • #10
Tide, Does Latex work now? I still don't get the answers that the book got using what you did...
 

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