What is the angle north of east in this kinematics problem?

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SUMMARY

The kinematics problem discussed involves calculating the angle north of east after walking 6.0 km, resulting in a position 2.0 km east and several kilometers north. The correct answer is 71 degrees, derived using the cosine function: cos⁻¹(2/6). Participants emphasized the importance of visualizing the problem through a diagram, illustrating the relationship between the hypotenuse and the adjacent side in a right triangle.

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Physics Kinematic Problem -- need help

Well here I am studying for the final and this question pops up and I have no idea how to do it. I know the answer however, but it does not really help me.

If you walk 6.0 km in a straight line in a direction north of east and you end up 2.0 km east and several kilometers north. How many degrees north of east have you walked?

Choices:

a) 19 degrees
b) 45 degrees
c) 60 degrees
d) 71 degrees

Answer: d

Thank you for your help
 
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The trig to this is to try drawing the walk on a piece of paper.
 
Did you draw a diagram? I drew a triangle with a vertex at the origin and the hypotenuse going north and east (up and to the right) for 6 units. The opposite side would be 2 units...Can you finish from there?
 
would it be possible to draw it in the forum?? I still don't get it. I knew how to do this a while ago and it was pretty easy. I did draw a diagram but it didn't really help for some reason. Maybe I read the question wrong, but either way I still don't understand. :cry:

AH HA! Thanks Fred. When you said 'opposite' I thought it meant opposite side of the plane. Ah it means the opposite side. Ok thanks I get it.

Cos -1 (2/6) = 71

:D

Thanks again
 
Last edited:
This is simple. First you walk 6km north of east, you end up 2km east and some km's north . Draw a triangle representing the above values where base=2 and hypotenuse=6

therefore,

cosQ= \frac{1}{3}
 

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