Vector Problem: Get Home from 15.0 km Away

  • Thread starter Thread starter janhen200
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Home Vector
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The problem involves determining the direction and distance needed to walk home from a point after walking a certain distance north. The context is based on vector analysis, specifically dealing with magnitudes and angles in a two-dimensional space.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the setup of the problem, including the importance of drawing a diagram to visualize the vector components. There are attempts to clarify the angles involved and the relationship between the sides of the triangle formed by the vectors.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on the interpretation of the angles and the need for accurate calculations. There is an ongoing exploration of the correct distance and direction to walk home, with some participants questioning the accuracy of the calculations presented.

Contextual Notes

There is a mention of homework rules that restrict assistance unless the original poster shows effort or asks specific questions. The discussion also reflects uncertainty regarding the correct interpretation of angles in the context of vector components.

janhen200
Messages
8
Reaction score
0
I need help on this vector problem. We haven't started yet, but this was one of the problems on the syllabus.

Your home is 15.0 km at a direction 40 degrees northwest. If you walked 10.0 km north, in what direction and distance would you have to walk to get home?

Your help will be greatly appreciated
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Welcome to Physicsforums! hope you enjoy your stay.

A vector is a quantity that has a magnitude(like 15 km) and direction (like north or south or an angle such as 40deg).

A good place is always to start with a diagram so you can visually see what is going on.

Your home is 15 km away but 40 degrees north OF west. Can you draw this?

I am not permitted to help you unless you show an effort or ask probing questions.
 
so far, I've done this and I'm not sure whether or not I am correct.

l \
l \
l \ --->15 km
l \
l___\ ----> 40 degrees

sorry, I am really bad at making diagrams on the computer. It just wanst coming out right. Basically i mae a triangle, with a hypotenuse of 15 and one of the angles (the one opposite the hypotenuse) is 40 degrees.
 
Last edited:
Looks correct to me. However, it is not the angle opposite to the hypotenuse. it is the angle with the x-axis and hypotenuse.

Now you walk north 10km. What direction and distance do you walk to reach home?
 
Is the answer 11.1?

I used pythagorean theorem.

a=10
b=x
c=15

10^2 + b^2= 15^2

b=11.1
He needs to walk 11.1 km east to get home

Please let me know whether this is right or wrong.
 
yea it is right. Try to keep more decimal places. 11.1 is quite different than 11.18.
 
Ok, thanks a lot. You've been a great help.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
3K
Replies
4
Views
1K
Replies
10
Views
3K
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 72 ·
3
Replies
72
Views
9K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
4K