Boat Vector Physics Problem with River Current - Homework Help

Join the discussion
Registration is free. Ask a follow-up in this thread, or start your own.
2 replies · 2K views
Awsom Guy
Messages
77
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


I have two questions but I need help with the second.
1. A boat can travel at 3.0ms-2 in still water and wishes to travel directly across a river with a current of 1.0ms-1. What direction upstream does the boat need to be steered.
I got the answer - the boat goes at an 18 [tex]\circ[/tex] and at an direction which I don't know.
2. If the boat in question 4 heads directly across the river which is 1.0km wide how far downstream will it reach the opposite bank?

Homework Equations


Just Vectors.


The Attempt at a Solution


Well I attempted it.
I had a triangle with the 1.0km across another side.
I didn't really get that far.


Thanks
 
Physics news on Phys.org


If the boat travels at 3 m/s and the current is 1 m/s that means for every 3 meters the boat travels in the perpendicular direction, the current carries it 1 meter in the parallel direction (relative to the shores).

Can you go from there?
 


wait isn't that for the first question, i need help on the second question please. Maybe I wasn't clear on the question I have metioned it there, the first question is there because the second one belongs to the first.
Thanks.