Calculating Relative Velocity: Tips for Solving Tricky Problems

[Aaron Curran]

I doubt it. If this is what they mean then there are infinite different directions which ship B could travel. But to crash, there are exactly 2 angles which it can travel.

Yes, i see, well how do I go about calculating the direction is v=6

 

[Nathanael]

Yes, i see, well how do I go about calculating the direction is v=6

For which directions is the component of the velocity in the northern direction equal to 5 m/s?

 

[Aaron Curran]

For which directions is the component of the velocity in the northern direction equal to 5 m/s?

is E33.56N one of them?

 

[Nathanael]

is E33.56N one of them?

Yep. And the other?

 

[Aaron Curran]

Yep. And the other?

I want to say 90-33.56 but I have a feeling that is wrong, other than that I really don't know

 

[Nathanael]

E33.56N

By E33.56N you mean "33.56 degrees East of North," right?

Is it possible for it to travel west of north and crash? How many degrees west of north would it need to go?

 

[Aaron Curran]

By E33.56N you mean "33.56 degrees East of North," right?

Is it possible for it to travel west of north and crash? How many degrees west of north would it need to go?

Yeah that's what I meant, I should have expressed it as N33.56E, I get where you're coming from but I still don't know how to go about calculating it

 

[Nathanael]

Yeah that's what I meant, I should have expressed it as N33.56E, I get where you're coming from but I still don't know how to go about calculating it

Well, I don't know how else to explain it except to just tell you. It would be the same angle as you calculated, 33.56°, except west of north. Draw (or imagine) a picture to understand it better. The angle is measured against the y axis. No matter if you measure it to the left of the y-axis or to the right of the y axis, it still gives you the same y component (5 m/s)

 

[Aaron Curran]

Well, I don't know how else to explain it except to just tell you. It would be the same angle as you calculated, 33.56°, except west of north. Draw (or imagine) a picture to understand it better. The angle is measured against the y axis. No matter if you measure it to the left of the y-axis or to the right of the y axis, it still gives you the same y component (5 m/s)

I thought about that but then I thought it was too simple, thanks so much for all your help! It seems so simple now that I know, makes me feel stupid for not seeing it earlier lol, thanks again!