How Do Currents Affect Swimming Across a River in Physics?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on a physics problem involving two swimmers crossing a river with a current. The girl swims directly east at 1.5 m/s, while the boy swims at the same speed but is affected by the current flowing south at 1.0 m/s. The key questions are about calculating their velocities relative to the ground and determining the distance between them upon reaching the opposite bank. The girl’s resultant velocity is a combination of her swimming speed and the river's current, while the boy's velocity is influenced by the current, causing him to drift downstream. The discussion emphasizes the need to apply vector addition to solve for their respective velocities and final positions.
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Physics 11 vector help please?

Homework Statement


A boy and a girl both swim at 1.5 m/s. they set out together to cross a river that is 50.0m across and has a current flowing south at 1.0m/s.the girl takes a heading so she'll travel straight east across the river. meanwhile, the boy maintains an eastward heading that causes him to be swept downstream while crossing.
What is the velocity of the girl relative to the ground?
What is the velocity of the boy relative to the ground?
how far apart will they be when both have reached the opposite bank?


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


idk ?
 
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Since girl travels straight across the river, the resultant of two velocities ( girl's and river's) is perpendicular to the velocity of the river.
If R is the resultant of two vectors P and Q having an angle theta, then the angle between R and P is given by
tan(alpha) = Qsin(theta)/[P + Qcos(theta)]. In the above problem alpha = 90 degree. Find theta and R
 
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