Calculate Speed of Hawk's Shadow on Ground

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the speed of a hawk's shadow on the ground as the hawk dives at a specific angle and velocity. The context is related to kinematics and vector decomposition.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to decompose the velocity vector of the hawk into its horizontal and vertical components using trigonometric functions. Some participants question the clarity of the original question and the correctness of the calculations. There is also a discussion about the mode of the calculator being used (radians vs degrees).

Discussion Status

The discussion has seen some productive exchanges, with participants clarifying the importance of calculator settings. The original poster initially expressed uncertainty about their calculations but later indicated they arrived at the correct answer after checking their calculator mode.

Contextual Notes

There was a mention of the original question being unclear, which prompted some participants to seek clarification. The original poster's calculations were initially questioned, leading to a focus on ensuring proper use of trigonometric functions and calculator settings.

madinsane
Messages
31
Reaction score
0
When the Sun is directly overhead, a hawk dives toward the ground with a constant velocity of 4.15 m/s at 54.5° below the horizontal. Calculate the speed of her shadow on the level ground.

Homework Statement


Homework Equations



vxi=vicosθ vyi=visinθ (i think)

The Attempt at a Solution


360-54.5=305.5
4.15cos305.5=-2.99i
4.15sin305.5=-2.88j
then get the modulus of the vector for the speed. Gave me 4.155
Its wrong though?
Help?
Tell me where I went wrong and where to begin
Thanks
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org


Where is the original question?
 


Ericv_91 said:
Where is the original question?

oops sorry!
 


Is your calculator in radians or degrees?
 


ericv_91 said:
is your calculator in radians or degrees?

it was on radians! Thank you! I got the right answer!
 


Careful Careful... Make sure you never forget this during a test!
 

Similar threads

Solve Basic Vector Problem: Hawk Speed & Shadow Speed in m/s
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
How Fast Does a Hawk's Shadow Move When Diving?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Calculating Hawk's Shadow Speed
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
20K
Confused know how to do it one way but not the other.
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
Speed of moving shadow due to light source
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
Solid sphere rolling down a house roof.... angular speed
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Vectors: air speed, ground speed
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
16K
Projectile motion of a ball thrown
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
8K
How Do You Calculate the Final Speed of a Sliding Ice Block on an Incline?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
7K
High School Leave the science to Scientists. Just tell me what is SR.
  • · Replies 29 ·
Replies
29
Views
3K