- #1
Whatupdoc
- 99
- 0
Getting Back. An explorer in the dense jungles of equatorial Africa leaves his hut. He takes 37.0 steps at an angle 45.0 Degrees north of east, then 82.0 steps at an angle 60.0 Degrees north of west, then 52.0 steps due south. Assume his steps all have equal length. Save him from becoming hopelessly lost in the jungle by giving him the displacement, calculated using the method of components, that will return him to his hut.
What the magnitude of the explorer's displacement? 47.6 steps
What the direction of the explorer's displacement? <--- ok for this one, i did arctan(y/x) which is -15.164 but it's the wrong answer. am i doing something incorrectly?
my work:
37cos(45)i +37sin(45)j
-82cos(30)i+82sin(30)j
+ (-55)j
-------------------------------------
-44.85i+12.16j
arctan (12.16/-44.85) =-15.164 Degrees
can anyone tell me why i am getting the incorrect answer?
What the magnitude of the explorer's displacement? 47.6 steps
What the direction of the explorer's displacement? <--- ok for this one, i did arctan(y/x) which is -15.164 but it's the wrong answer. am i doing something incorrectly?
my work:
37cos(45)i +37sin(45)j
-82cos(30)i+82sin(30)j
+ (-55)j
-------------------------------------
-44.85i+12.16j
arctan (12.16/-44.85) =-15.164 Degrees
can anyone tell me why i am getting the incorrect answer?