How to Calculate the Correct Path to Base Camp in a Whiteout?

  • Thread starter Thread starter kara
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Stuck Vector
AI Thread Summary
An explorer is lost in a whiteout and needs to calculate the correct path back to base camp after traveling 7.8km at an angle of 50° north of due east instead of the intended 5.6km due north. Participants suggest using a diagram to represent the two vectors involved in the journey. It's emphasized that simply subtracting the vectors won't work due to their angular relationship. One user estimates that the explorer must travel 12.61km at an angle of 67° to return, but expresses uncertainty about the accuracy of this calculation. The discussion focuses on finding the correct distance and direction to reach base camp based on the explorer's actual path.
kara
Messages
54
Reaction score
0
If anyone's got any hints or directions as to how to go about solving this problem, PLEASE help!

An explorer is caught in a whiteout (in which the snowfall is so thick that the ground cannot be distinguished from the sky) while returning to base camp. He was supposed to travel due north for 5.6km, but when the snow clears, he discovers that he actually traveled 7.8km at 50* north of due east. How far and in what direction must he travel no to reach base camp?
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
kara said:
If anyone's got any hints or directions as to how to go about solving this problem, PLEASE help!

An explorer is caught in a whiteout (in which the snowfall is so thick that the ground cannot be distinguished from the sky) while returning to base camp. He was supposed to travel due north for 5.6km, but when the snow clears, he discovers that he actually traveled 7.8km at 50* north of due east. How far and in what direction must he travel no to reach base camp?

try drawing a diagram using the given info

see waht you cna do from there...
 
i've got one, I'm just not sure what I'm looking for afterwards.
 
Last edited:
In my diagram I've got two vectors that I've named A and B. SO do i subtract the two to get the distance between them C?
 
kara said:
In my diagram I've got two vectors that I've named A and B. SO do i subtract the two to get the distance between them C?

draw the diagram and post it here
 
You should have 2 vectors on an XY-coordinate system. If that's what you got, one shouldn't be directly on the xy-planes, so you're going to have to look for the x and y components for a particular vector. Once you do that, think in respect to the point he should be at to the point he is at.
 
kara said:
In my diagram I've got two vectors that I've named A and B. SO do i subtract the two to get the distance between them C?

cant just subtract because they are angles to each other
 
i tried drawing the diagram on paint, doesn't look too good but that's what I am thinking. Find the distance C
 

Attachments

  • vector.JPG
    vector.JPG
    6.5 KB · Views: 454
i've figured out an answer, not sure if its right but if anyone's willing to check here is it: The explorer must travel 12. 61 km. I got 67* but that doesn't entirely make sense now that i look at it. Anyhoo let me know what you think.
 
  • #10
?
 

Similar threads

How far must he now travel to reach base camp?
Replies
7
Views
7K
Calculating Distance and Direction in Whiteout Conditions
Replies
12
Views
4K
Vectors and Angles in Helicopter Flight
Replies
5
Views
1K
How Do You Determine the Maximum Distance from Base Camp Using Vector Addition?
Replies
11
Views
6K
Adding Vectors to Find Velocity
Replies
16
Views
3K
Intro to physics vector problem
Replies
2
Views
15K
Calculate Linear Velocity: Aircraft Direction Vector
Replies
10
Views
2K
Motion vector subtraction, my attempts and where i'm stuck
Replies
7
Views
2K
Calculating 3-D Vectors: Mountain Summit from Base Camp
Replies
7
Views
2K
How Do You Calculate Displacement from a Vector Diagram?
Replies
7
Views
3K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top