A boat travels down stream, then travels up stream

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem involving a boat's travel downstream and upstream, focusing on the relationship between the boat's velocity and the water current's velocity. The participants explore the implications of these velocities on the time required for the trip.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the implications of the boat's velocity being equal to the water's velocity, questioning whether the boat can travel upstream under those conditions. They also draw analogies to walking on a treadmill to clarify their understanding of relative velocities.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants sharing diagrams and attempting to clarify their calculations. Some guidance has been offered regarding the necessity for the boat's velocity to exceed the current's velocity for upstream travel, but there is no explicit consensus on the overall approach or solution.

Contextual Notes

Participants express challenges with problems lacking numerical values, indicating a potential constraint in their ability to apply the equations effectively.

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Homework Statement


What is the time needed to complete a trip if v = V.

Homework Equations


t=(2Dv)/v^2-V^2)

The Attempt at a Solution


I drew a diagram and tried plugging values in.
 

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Kingyou123 said:
What is the time needed to complete a trip if v = V.
Think about what this means.

Will a boat travel upstream if it's velocity is equal to that of the downstream water?
Have you ever walked on a treadmill? What speed must you walk at to stay on the treadmill?

Kingyou123 said:

The Attempt at a Solution


I drew a diagram and tried plugging values in.

And what was the result?
 
Terrible diagram but why don't you attempt am answer?
 
Kingyou123 said:

I drew a diagram and tried plugging values in.
That's not a helpful description of your calculations. Be more specific
 
billy_joule said:
Think about what this means.

Will a boat travel upstream if it's velocity is equal to that of the downstream water?
Have you ever walked on a treadmill? What speed must you walk at to stay on the treadmill?
And what was the result?
So the velocity of the boat has to be greater than the velocity of the current when rowing back. I made a force diagram with vectors. I always have problems with problems that don't give numbers... so would v<V?
 
Last edited:

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