How do you calculate displacement and direction in spelunking cave explorations?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on calculating displacement and direction during spelunking cave explorations. Participants emphasize the importance of determining both East-West (EW) and North-South (NS) displacements by assigning negative values to West and positive values to East, while North is positive and South is negative. The conversion from radians to degrees is clarified with the formula x180/pi, which is essential for understanding directional calculations. The conversation highlights the need for clarity in interpreting mathematical expressions used in these calculations.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic trigonometry and angles
  • Familiarity with displacement concepts in physics
  • Knowledge of coordinate systems (Cartesian coordinates)
  • Ability to perform basic arithmetic operations with signed numbers
NEXT STEPS
  • Research vector addition in physics for displacement calculations
  • Learn about coordinate transformations in two-dimensional space
  • Study trigonometric functions and their applications in navigation
  • Explore practical applications of displacement in outdoor activities like hiking and spelunking
USEFUL FOR

Outdoor enthusiasts, spelunkers, geologists, and anyone interested in navigation and spatial awareness during cave explorations.

jamiebean
Messages
55
Reaction score
3
Homework Statement
attached below:
Relevant Equations
resultant displacement=√x^2-y^2
螢幕截圖 2020-05-21 下午1.05.44.png
IMG-0918.jpg
螢幕截圖 2020-05-21 下午1.05.57.png

in part a, i tried to draw the scale and tried to determine the magnitude. But I still don't get why is the answer written in that way.
in part b: i know that x180/pi calculates the degree, but i don't understand how does this calculates the direction.
and i don't understand what's happening in the brackets.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
jamiebean said:
why is the answer written in that way.
For each movement, work out what the EW displacement is and what the NS displacement is.
Add up the EW displacements, making W negative and E positive (say).
Do the same for the NS displacements, N positive.
 

Similar threads

Direction of resulting displacement
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
Calculating Displacement: Magnitude & Direction of a Car's Motion
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Find the resultant displacement from the cave entrance
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
7K
Intuition on the direction of friction in a rotational dynamics problem
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K
Net Displacement: Calculate x,y & r,θ
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
Calculate the displacement? (Projectile motion problem)
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Calculate the magnitude and direction of the torque
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
Finding the Magnitude and Direction of the Displacement Vector for a Ship's Trip
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
5K
Calculate electric force using Coulomb's law (vector components are the struggle)
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
How to Calculate the Bird's Net Displacement Using Vector Addition?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K