Vector equation help: Find Wind Velocity Vector

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the wind velocity vector affecting an airplane flying at an airspeed of 459 km/hr, heading 21.6° east of north to cover a distance of 784 km in 2.07 hours. The participant initially calculated the distance traveled as 950.13 km and derived the wind velocity as 31.9 km/h. However, the correct approach involves determining the northward component of the airplane's trajectory, calculated using the cosine of the heading angle, resulting in a northward speed of 426.77 km/h.

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Homework Statement



An airplane flies at an airspeed of 459 km/hr. The pilot wants to fly 784 km to the north. She knows that she must head 21.6° east of north to fly directly there. If the plane arrives in 2.07 hr, find the magnitude of the wind velocity vector.

Tried solving as seen below but I'm not sure where I'm going wrong.

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


v=d/t
459 km/h=d/2.07 h
950.13 km=d

srt(950.13^2-784^2)=b
66.05 km=b

v=66.05 km/2.07 h
v=31.9 km/h
 
Last edited:
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Zanesco said:

Homework Statement



An airplane flies at an airspeed of 459 km/hr. The pilot wants to fly 784 km to the north. She knows that she must head 21.6° east of north to fly directly there. If the plane arrives in 2.07 hr, find the magnitude of the wind velocity vector.

Tried solving as seen below but I'm not sure where I'm going wrong.

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


v=d/t
459 km/h=d/2.07 h
950.13 km=d

srt(950.13^2-784^2)=b
66.05 km=b

v=66.05 km/2.07 h
v=31.9 km/h
The plane flies in the air at a speed of 459 km/h for 2.07 hrs, so the distance is correct. However, the plane flies at an angle of 21.6 deg E of N. What is the projection from the planes trajectory in the air on to due north?
 


it would be: 459cos21.6=426.77 km/h
 

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