Calculating Displacement Using Vectors and Angles

AI Thread Summary
To calculate the displacement of the roller coaster, start by drawing an 85m horizontal line. Then, draw a second line at a 30° angle above the horizontal, which should be directed northeast. This creates a right triangle where you can apply the Pythagorean theorem to find the total displacement. The total displacement can be calculated by finding the resultant vector from these two segments. Understanding the vector components is crucial for solving the problem accurately.
jubbly
Messages
22
Reaction score
0
Hey guys I'm lost with this word problem.
A roller coaster moves 85m horizontally, then travels 45m at an angel of 30.0° above the horizontal. What is its displacement from its starting point?

I started out by drawing a 85m line. But now I'm confused because I have to set a 30 degree angle. Would I draw a line to the northeast or northwest?

That's all the need I'll need for now. Thanks guys!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
jubbly said:
I have to set a 30 degree angle. Would I draw a line to the northeast or northwest?

You would draw it NorthEast, or 3 o'clock angle, or 30 degrees, or Up-Right, etc. From there, you can find the total displacement from starting point (assuming you can see the triangle).
 

Thread 'Errors and significant figures'

I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...
View full post »
Thread 'Collision of a bullet on a rod-string system: query'

Thread 'Collision of a bullet on a rod-string system: query'

In this question, I have a question. I am NOT trying to solve it, but it is just a conceptual question. Consider the point on the rod, which connects the string and the rod. My question: just before and after the collision, is ANGULAR momentum CONSERVED about this point? Lets call the point which connects the string and rod as P. Why am I asking this? : it is clear from the scenario that the point of concern, which connects the string and the rod, moves in a circular path due to the string...
View full post »
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...
View full post »

Similar threads

Roller coaster displacement physics problem
Replies
1
Views
7K
What is the single displacement needed for an expert golfer to make the hole?
Replies
6
Views
5K
Calculate the displacement? (Projectile motion problem)
Replies
3
Views
2K
Velocity vector displacement problem
Replies
9
Views
2K
Map question involving vectors (find the angle)
Replies
13
Views
2K
Vectors Homework: Displacement & Direction at 80°
Replies
14
Views
8K
Find angle between displacement and velocity vector
Replies
3
Views
4K
Ball trajectory velocity and displacement vectors
Replies
13
Views
3K
Vector Displacement Magnitude Calculation
Replies
1
Views
2K
Vectors and Angles in Helicopter Flight
Replies
5
Views
1K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top