Relative Velocity and Vector Resolution

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a relative velocity problem involving a boat rowing in a river with a current. The subject area includes concepts of vector resolution and relative motion.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the relationship between the boat's velocity and the river's current, attempting to resolve the components of velocity using a right triangle approach. Questions arise regarding which sides of the triangle correspond to the components parallel and perpendicular to the shore.

Discussion Status

Some participants have offered guidance on using the triangle to determine components, while others are clarifying their understanding of which velocities correspond to the respective components. There is an ongoing exploration of the problem without explicit consensus on the final interpretation.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working within the constraints of the problem as presented, with some uncertainty about the definitions of the components and their relationships to the velocities involved.

Jacobpm64
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You row a boat perpendicular to the shore of a river that flows at 3.0 m/s. The velocity of your boat is 4.0 m/s relative to the water.
a. What is your velocity of your boat relative to the shore?
b. What is the component of your velocity parallel to the shore? Perpendicular to it?
A was very easy... If you draw it out, you can easily see that it's a 3,4,5 triangle, so the answer to A is 5 m/s.
I'm not sure how to work out B. Which number do I use to find the components? Would the parallel to the shore component be 4 m/s? Would the perpendicular be 3 m/s? I'm not sure.. Or is it totally different numbers? Help with part B please.
 
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You can use the same triangle that you drew for A to work out the components for B. It's easier than you think.
 
ok, which sides am i using of the triangle? it's a 3,4,5 triangle. Am i correct in saying that the velocity component parallel to the shore is the velocity of the river (+3 m/s --- since it is flowing parallel to the shore) and the velocity component perpendicular to the shore is the velocity of the boat relative to the river (+4 m/s --- since the boat is moving in a direction perpendicular to the shore)?
 
Sounds good to me.
 
thanks a lot
 

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