How Do You Calculate the Average Acceleration of a Sailboat Changing Direction?

[chroncile]

Homework Statement

If a sailboat is heading East at 18 m/s and it makes a turn until it is heading 50^oNof E at 16 m/s, and the turn takes 2.5 minutes, what is the average acceleration of the boat in m/s²

Homework Equations

None

The Attempt at a Solution

I drew the vectors of 16 m/s N and 18 m/s E. What do I do next?

 

[PhanthomJay]

There is a relevant equation...what is the definition of average acceleration?

 

[chroncile]

I think it's


a_av = v / t

 

[PhanthomJay]

That's not right. Do you have a textbook or can you look it up online?