What are the average speeds and velocities of two hikers taking different paths?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on calculating the average speeds and velocities of two hikers taking different paths over a distance of 17 minutes. Hiker 1 follows a complex route involving multiple directional changes, while Hiker 2 begins 1000 meters east and also takes a varied path. The average speed is defined as total distance divided by time, while average velocity is the vector displacement divided by time. Participants highlight the importance of understanding these definitions to solve the problem accurately. The conversation emphasizes the need for clarity in the problem's parameters, particularly regarding time and displacement.
blinkeaf182
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
I had to miss class today because of a meeting I had with college counselors... please help

Hiker (2) is 1000 meters east of hiker (1) when they leave their base camps (@ the same time). Hiker (1) takes the following path: 200 m N, 300 m 30 degrees N of E, 400 m E, 600 m 40 degrees S of W, 200 m S. Hiker (2) takes the following path: 300 m E, 300 m 40 degrees W of S, 200 m S, 600 m W, 300 m 20 degrees E of N. Both hikers walked 17 min.

a. what is each hikers avg. speed
b. what is the magnitude of each hikers velocity?






i would more care to have the process explained then to actually know the answer

thanks!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
What do you know about the definition of average speed? Also what do you know about the magnitude of a velocity?
 
Sketch the paths of the hikers out.
 
Kurdt asked if you knew the definition of average speed: it is the distance walked divided by the time taken. Average velocity is the vector dispacement divided by the time taken. Nowhere in your problem is anything said about time. You cannot find speed or velocity with the information given.
 
blinkeaf182 said:
I had to miss class today because of a meeting I had with college counselors... please help

Hiker (2) is 1000 meters east of hiker (1) when they leave their base camps (@ the same time). Hiker (1) takes the following path: 200 m N, 300 m 30 degrees N of E, 400 m E, 600 m 40 degrees S of W, 200 m S. Hiker (2) takes the following path: 300 m E, 300 m 40 degrees W of S, 200 m S, 600 m W, 300 m 20 degrees E of N. Both hikers walked 17 min.

thanks!
There is a mention a time :confused: Both hikers took 17 minutes. I'll let you off this time Hallsofivy :wink:
 
Kurdt said:
There is a mention a time :confused: Both hikers took 17 minutes. I'll let you off this time Hallsofivy :wink:
Nah - don't let him off that lightly :-p :wink:
 
I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'
Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...
Back
Top