How Do Canoeists' Velocities Reveal Water Speed and Their Effort?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on determining the speed of water relative to shore and the speed of two canoeists relative to the water. Given the velocities of the upstream and downstream canoeists as -1.2 m/s and +2.9 m/s, respectively, the speed of the water can be calculated using the formula: water speed = (downstream speed + upstream speed) / 2. This results in a water speed of 0.85 m/s. Consequently, the speed of the upstream canoe relative to the water is 0.65 m/s, while the downstream canoe's speed relative to the water is 3.75 m/s.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of relative velocity concepts
  • Basic knowledge of vector addition
  • Familiarity with speed and direction terminology
  • Ability to perform basic arithmetic calculations
NEXT STEPS
  • Study relative velocity in fluid dynamics
  • Explore vector addition in physics
  • Learn about the effects of current on moving objects
  • Investigate real-world applications of canoeing dynamics
USEFUL FOR

Canoeists, physics students, educators, and anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of motion in water environments.

svayl
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
Ok, I can not get the answer to this question!

Two canoeists in identical canoes exert the same effort paddling and hence maintain the same speed relative to the water. One paddles directly upstream (and moves upstream), whereas the other paddles directly downstream. With downstream as the positive direction, an observer on shore determines the velocities of the two canoes to be -1.2 m/s and +2.9 m/s, respectively.

(a) What is the speed of the water relative to shore?
m/s
(b) What is the speed of each canoe relative to the water?
canoe going upstream m/s
canoe going downstream m/s
 
Physics news on Phys.org
svayl said:
Ok, I can not get the answer to this question!

Two canoeists in identical canoes exert the same effort paddling and hence maintain the same speed relative to the water. One paddles directly upstream (and moves upstream), whereas the other paddles directly downstream. With downstream as the positive direction, an observer on shore determines the velocities of the two canoes to be -1.2 m/s and +2.9 m/s, respectively.

(a) What is the speed of the water relative to shore?
m/s
(b) What is the speed of each canoe relative to the water?
canoe going upstream m/s
canoe going downstream m/s

Welcome to PF.

What have you tried?
 

Similar threads

Relative Velocity Against the Water Current
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
Kinematics physics homework help -- 2 canoes crossing a river
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
5K
Canoeing: Speed Relative to Water and Shore
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
How Do You Calculate Relative Velocities in One-Dimensional Motion?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
7K
What is the Correct Setup for River Relative Velocity Homework?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
What angle should a swimmer aim to land directly across the starting position?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Can You Solve These Challenging Physics Problems?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
7K
How to Calculate Rowing Speed and Direction to Reach a Boathouse?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Relative Velocity - Canoe vs. River
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
4K
Boat heading and relative velocity
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
5K