Calculating Relative Velocity for Approaching Boats

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the relative velocity of two boats, where one boat is moving due north and the other is approaching from the south-west at a specified speed. The problem involves understanding the velocity components and their relationship.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the setup of the problem, questioning the clarity of the original post and the visibility of shared images. Suggestions are made to reconsider the angle used in the velocity triangle representation.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants seeking clarification on the problem statement and offering suggestions for visualizing the velocity components differently. There is no explicit consensus yet, but some guidance has been provided regarding the angle adjustment.

Contextual Notes

There are references to images that are not visible to all participants, which may affect the clarity of the problem setup. The original poster's attempt at a solution includes links to external content that may not be accessible.

ozbii
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Homework Statement


A boat is traveling due north at 5 m/s and a passenger on boat A sees another boat, boat b, approaching from south-west (45 degrees) at a speed of 6 m/s. What is boat B's actual velocity?

Homework Equations



Vrel = Vb - Va

The Attempt at a Solution


http://blob:https%3A//www.physicsforums.com/1c3c6810-6d14-4b51-8001-acb8be8f9167 http://blob:https%3A//www.physicsforums.com/0f6caecc-b8ad-4208-b8cb-c8fdd9c98d28
upload_2015-5-13_21-19-6.png
 

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Is there a question in there somewhere? (I can't see the first two images you posted)
 
ozbii said:

Homework Statement


A boat is traveling due north at 5 m/s and a passenger on boat A sees another boat, boat b, approaching from south-west (45 degrees) at a speed of 6 m/s. What is boat B's actual velocity?

Homework Equations



Vrel = Vb - Va

The Attempt at a Solution


http://blob:https%3A//www.physicsforums.com/1c3c6810-6d14-4b51-8001-acb8be8f9167 http://blob:https%3A//www.physicsforums.com/0f6caecc-b8ad-4208-b8cb-c8fdd9c98d28 View attachment 83441
Try redrawing your triangle a little differently so that the angle is 135 degrees from the horizontal. Imagine flipping your triangle upside down.
 
Hope this helps
 

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