A quick distance/time question.

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SUMMARY

The discussion revolves around calculating the vertical height of an aircraft using radar pulse data. A radar pulse projected at an angle of elevation of 22.0 degrees takes 1.28 x 10^-4 seconds for a round trip. To find the height, participants confirm that the total time should be halved to account for the round trip, and then apply the formula d = vt to determine the hypotenuse. Finally, they utilize the sine function to extract the vertical height from the hypotenuse.

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  • Familiarity with the distance-time relationship in physics.
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  • Ability to manipulate equations to solve for unknown variables.
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Homework Statement


A radar pulse projected at an angle of elevation of 22.0 degrees is reflected from an aircraft and returned. If the pulse takes 1.28*10^-4s to make the round trip, then the vertical height of the aircraft is? (Height of radar transmitter/receiver can be ignored)




Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



I know how to do it, just use d=vt to find the hyp and then use sin feta to find vertical height.

But for time do i use 1.28*10^-4s? or use half of that since that time is the round trip?
 
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I woud do it that way, you have the right thinking... you can also use that time and get the total distance and divide that by 2...
 
I thought feta was a type of Greek cheese.
 

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