What is the displacement of the car from the point of origin?

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the displacement of a car that travels specific distances in defined directions, specifically 215 km west and 85 km southwest. Participants are exploring the implications of directional terminology and the assumptions involved in interpreting the problem.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster questions the necessity of an angle for the southwest direction and expresses confusion about how to approach the problem. Other participants clarify that southwest typically implies a 45-degree angle. There is a discussion about the expectations regarding knowledge of directional conventions.

Discussion Status

The conversation has seen some participants confirming the conventional understanding of directional angles, while others express frustration about the assumptions made in the problem. There is a mix of attempts to clarify the situation and share insights, but no explicit consensus has been reached.

Contextual Notes

Some participants mention the lack of a compass and the conventions used in directional terminology, indicating that there may be varying levels of familiarity with these concepts among the contributors.

ace123
Messages
250
Reaction score
0
A car is driven 215 km west and then 85 km southwest. What is the displacement of the car from the point of origin?

Shouldn't I be given an angle. Because it could be southwest at any angle. How would I do this?

Thanks for the help.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Southwest usually means 45 degrees towards south, from west or vice-versa.
 
Really? Okay let me try that. But why would I be expected to know that? That's just stupid.
 
Well it worked. Thanks
 
Take a look at a compass and see why ;)
 
Don't own a compass
 
It's just convention when mentioning southwest that the angle is 45 degrees. It is also true when saying southeast, northeast, northwest.
 
180px-Kompas_Sofia.JPG
 
lol thanks for providing a compass. But I've gotten this problem ages ago.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
5K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
13K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
4K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
Replies
10
Views
3K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K