Solving Mechanics Problem: Velocity & Distance of Swimmer B

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves two swimmers, A and B, with swimmer A moving east at a constant speed while swimmer B attempts to intercept A from a bank at an angle. The discussion centers on calculating the relative velocities, the distance L, and the impact of a current on their paths.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the vector velocities of both swimmers and the implications of B's swimming angle and speed. There is confusion regarding the distance L and the timing of B's start relative to A's position.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants verifying calculations and questioning the setup of the problem. Some guidance has been offered regarding the interpretation of the swimmers' positions and velocities, but no consensus has been reached on the final values for distance L or the time taken.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the complexity introduced by the angle of B's swimming and the potential effects of a current, which remains unquantified in the discussion. There is also mention of the original poster's uncertainty due to missed lectures, adding to the context of the homework constraints.

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Homework Statement



Swimmer A swims due east at a constant speed of 3m/s along a straight stretch of river with neglible current, keeping a constant distance of 10m from the southern bank. A second swimmer, B, starts swimming from this bank when A is a disnace L down the river from her (i.e. L is the distance measured along the bank.) Swimmer B swims with a constant speed of 2m/s and at an angle of N60E in order to intercept A.

i) what is the velocity of b as observed from a?
ii) what is the distance L, and how long does B swim for?
iii) If a strong current is flowing how, if at all, would the above results be alterd?

The Attempt at a Solution



I have calculated A and B's vector velocities.
Va = 3i m/s
Vb = sqrt(3)i + 1j
Then surely the velocity of b as observed from is just the difference between the two vectors.
Vdiff. = (3-sqrt(3))i + 1j

Then i run into trouble for the next bit, surely if swimmer b's vertical component of velocity is 1m/s then no matter what distance A swims before B starts. B will always have to swim through 10m of water vertically. So if B's vertical component of velocity is 1, then he has to swim 10s before he contacts A.
Its the distance L which confuses me. B's horizontal component is sqrt(3) which is less than 3, so if B starts after A has passed B will never reach A. The distance will get progressively larger. So surely B has to start before A passes him on the river?
 
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Spoony said:
I have calculated A and B's vector velocities.
Va = 3i m/s
Vb = sqrt(3)i + 1j
Recheck the velocity of B. [Edit: Your velocity is fine!]
Its the distance L which confuses me. B's horizontal component is sqrt(3) which is less than 3, so if B starts after A has passed B will never reach A. The distance will get progressively larger. So surely B has to start before A passes him on the river?
Right. A is a distance L down river from B. When B starts moving, A is to the west of B. (As you realize, that's the only interpretation that makes sense.)

[Edit: Ignore my comment about velocity.]
 
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The velocity of B is right (im sure), as the triangle is a 30,60,90 degree triangle, since 2 is the hypotneuse then root3 and 1 are the other sides. The angle used is 30, as N60E is 60 degrees FROM the north so its 30 degrees measured from the bank counterclockwise.

Correct me if I am wrong. But I am preety sure that's right. as the triangle is of the form:

http://id.mind.net/~zona/mmts/miscellaneousMath/tri454590306090/t306090.gif
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Ahhh, going mad. I can't see where I am going wrong as the vertical component from the triangle is 1m/s and the horizontal is sqrt(3)m/s. Unless I've got my i's and j's mixed up. Please help me :(
 
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D'oh! I just realized that I'm full of it. Your Vb components are correct. :redface: (Sorry about that!)
 
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Hehe np, would the time taken be 10s and the distance L be 15.58m then?
(as |10*sqrt(3) - 3*10| = 15.58 ?)
sorry to badger, but I am quite unconfident in my physics atm as I am having to learn this all by myself as I've missed a lot of lectures.
 
Spoony said:
Hehe np, would the time taken be 10s and the distance L be 15.58m then?
(as |10*sqrt(3) - 3*10| = 15.58 ?)
The time is 10s, but check your arithmetic on that subtraction.
 
Sorry 12.68m :S
 
Looks good.
 
  • #10
Cheers for all your help mate :)
 

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