Solve Vector Prob: Find Speed in m/s Relative to Ground

  • Thread starter Thread starter burton95
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Vector
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The problem involves determining the speed of a swimmer relative to the ground, taking into account the current of a river flowing northwest and the swimmer's speed due east relative to the water. The context is rooted in vector addition and requires understanding of relative motion.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss various attempts to apply the vector equation for relative velocity, with some expressing confusion about the direction of the river's current and how to incorporate it into calculations. There are mentions of using parametric equations and breaking down vectors into components.

Discussion Status

The discussion includes multiple attempts to solve the problem, with some participants questioning their understanding of the vector components involved. There is a recognition that showing work can clarify thought processes, and one participant indicates they found a resolution through this method.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the correct application of the vector equation and the implications of the river's current direction. There is also mention of checking answers against an online quiz, suggesting external validation of their calculations.

burton95
Messages
54
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



The current in a river is flowing northwest with a speed of 1.5 m/s. You are swimming due east with a speed of 2 m/s relative to the water. What is your speed (in m/s) relative to the ground?

Homework Equations


vm,g = vw,g + vw,m

The Attempt at a Solution



I have tried all sorts of playing around getting answers such as .5, 2.5, 3. I set x to the east as positive and y north positive. The water is actually traveling in a negative x direction so how do I account for that?
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
burton95 said:
The water is actually traveling in a negative x direction so how do I account for that?
By using minus signs :smile:
Pls post your working.
 
I don't know if I'd call it work but i just plugged in the values that were given in the the problem into the equation stated. The different answers come from different combos of these numbers and then i checked them against an online quiz. Something tells me i have to turn these into a parametric equation but I am at a loss
 
Please show your work! You say "i just plugged in the values that were given in the the problem into the equation stated." I suspect that the problem is that you do not understand the equation. Do you understand that [itex]v_{wg}[/itex] and [itex]v_{mm}[itex]are <b>vectors</b>, not numbers?[/itex][/itex]
 
I will show my work. I apologize...I was posting from my phone on the bus ride home last night and this morning.

My next thought it to try and deconstruct -1.5 m/s NW into i and j. Using θ=45 in quad 2 for NW I tried to solve -1sin (x/-1.5) = 45 and came up with -1.062. Then set 1.5 = ((1.062)2 + (x)2)1/2 and solved x = 1.368267.

Vw,g = -1.062i + 1.368267j
Vm,w = 2i

Vm,g = Vw,g + Vm,w = -1.062i + 1.368267j + 2i

= .938i + 1.368267j

(.9382+1.3682672)1/2 = 1.67 m/s

I'm sure I'm all over the place
 
I found it. Just going through the motions of showing the work helps tremendously. Thanks folks
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
4K
  • · Replies 30 ·
2
Replies
30
Views
5K
  • · Replies 38 ·
2
Replies
38
Views
4K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
4K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
4K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
6K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
5
Views
8K