How Do You Calculate Vector Displacement from a Plane to a Ship?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the vector displacement from a rescue plane to a sinking ship using a radar station as the reference point. The ship is located at a range of 18.2 km and a bearing of 134° clockwise from north, while the plane is at a horizontal range of 20.0 km and a bearing of 151° with an elevation of 2.33 km. The vector representations for both the ship and the plane are defined as Vship and Vplane, respectively, and the vector displacement is calculated using the formula Vd = Vship - Vplane.

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can some1 help me with this question??

A radar station locates a sinking ship at range 18.2 km and bearing 134° clockwise from north. From the same station a rescue plane is at horizontal range 20.0 km, 151° clockwise from north, with elevation 2.33 km. What is the vector displacement from plane to ship, letting i represent east, j north, and k up. Enter answers in this order and include units.

i tried it myself but i can't get the answer. please help
 
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hello yj-k91 and welcome to PF :smile:
consider the radar station as the original point [zero point], then represent the position of both ship and plane in the form of:

Vship=x1i+y1j+z1k

Vplane=x2i+y2j+z2k

now, x and y values can be calculated using the given angles and distances [note that the angles are clockwise from the y-axis], the vector displacement from plane to ship will be:

Vd=Vship-Vplane
 


thank you so much drizzle.
 

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