What angle should the bird head?

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a Canada goose migrating southward while accounting for a wind blowing from west to east. The original poster seeks to determine the angle the bird should head to maintain a direct southward path relative to the ground, given its flying speed and the wind speed.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to calculate the angle using a method involving subtraction from 90 degrees but seeks verification of their work. Other participants inquire about the understanding of vectors and express their own struggles with the concepts involved.

Discussion Status

Some participants have offered affirmations regarding the original poster's approach, while others have provided clarifications about the angle's reference frame. The discussion reflects a mix of understanding and uncertainty regarding vector placement and calculations.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the angle should be referenced relative to the north-south direction, which may influence how the original poster approaches the problem. There is also mention of the original poster's concerns about the validity of the bird's flight speed.

Junjou
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Homework Statement


Canada geese migrate essentially along a north-south direction for well over a thousand kilometers in some cases, traveling at speeds up to about 100 km/h. The one goose is flying at 100 km/h relative to the air but a 34 km/h wind is blowing from west to east.

At what angle relative to the north-south direction should this bird head to travel directly southward relative to the ground?

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


Set it up the following way and got about 70.1, subtracted that from 90 and got 19.9. Can somebody check my work to make sure I did it correctly?
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Last edited:
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Do you know anything about vectors?
 
We're currently learning vectors right now, but I've been struggling with it because of angles and the mess of formulas. I'm just not sure how to place the vector for the 100 km/h bird.
 
Looks like you got it.
 
Just in case you have to enter this in a computer or something: they ask for the angle wrt north-south, not for the angle wrt west...
 
I thought a flight speed of 100 km/h for a Canada goose was preposterous, until I looked it up... :))
 

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