Vectors Homework Help: Finding Components and Distance of Airplane Velocity

In summary, vectors are mathematical quantities that have both magnitude and direction and are commonly used in math and science to represent physical quantities. To add or subtract vectors, they must first be in the same direction and their magnitudes can be added or subtracted while keeping the direction the same. A scalar is a quantity with only magnitude, while a vector has both magnitude and direction. Vectors are typically represented graphically as arrows, with the length representing magnitude and the direction indicating the direction. Vectors can also be multiplied in two ways: dot product and cross product, which are used in physics and engineering.
  • #1
djunderseage
3
0

Homework Statement



anybody who is good at physics i need your help

An airplane is traveling 755 km/h in a direction 41.5° west of north.

Find the components of the velocity vector in the northerly and westerly directions?

How far north and how far west has the plane traveled after 3.00 h?

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



i am not sure what formula to use to solve this
 
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  • #2


Hint: When stuck, draw a picture.

From your sketch, decompose the vector into components using trig...Work from there to solve the problem.

Hope that helps.
 
  • #3
problem

Hi there,

To solve this problem, you can use the following equations:

1. Finding the components of the velocity vector:

- Velocity in the northerly direction = Velocity x sin(angle)
- Velocity in the westerly direction = Velocity x cos(angle)

2. Finding the distance traveled:

- Distance = Velocity x time

So for the first part of the problem, you can plug in the given values (velocity = 755 km/h, angle = 41.5°) into the equations to find the components of the velocity vector.

For the second part, you can use the distance equation with the given time of 3.00 hours to find the total distance traveled. Then, you can use the components of the velocity vector to find the distance traveled in the northerly and westerly directions.

I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any further questions.
 

FAQ: Vectors Homework Help: Finding Components and Distance of Airplane Velocity

1. What are vectors and how are they used in math and science?

Vectors are mathematical quantities that have both magnitude (size) and direction. They are commonly used in math and science to represent physical quantities such as velocity, force, and displacement.

2. How do you add and subtract vectors?

To add or subtract vectors, you must first make sure they are in the same direction. Then, you can simply add or subtract their magnitudes, while keeping the direction the same. If the vectors are not in the same direction, you can use trigonometry and the Pythagorean theorem to find the resultant vector.

3. What is the difference between a scalar and a vector?

A scalar is a quantity that only has magnitude, while a vector has both magnitude and direction. Examples of scalars include temperature and mass, while examples of vectors include velocity and displacement.

4. How are vectors represented graphically?

Vectors are typically represented graphically as arrows, with the length of the arrow representing the magnitude and the direction of the arrow indicating the direction of the vector.

5. Can vectors be multiplied?

Yes, vectors can be multiplied in two different ways: dot product and cross product. The dot product results in a scalar quantity, while the cross product results in a vector quantity. These operations are commonly used in physics and engineering.

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