Why Is My Calculation for the Plane's Correct Heading Incorrect?

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a plane's navigation in the presence of wind. The pilot needs to determine the correct heading to reach a destination directly east while accounting for a wind blowing at an angle. The subject area includes vector analysis and trigonometry related to motion.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss vector components of the plane's airspeed and the wind's effect on the plane's trajectory. There are attempts to calculate the angle required for the plane's heading using trigonometric functions. Some participants question the interpretation of "airspeed" and the setup of the vectors involved.

Discussion Status

The discussion includes attempts to clarify the calculations and the relationships between the vectors. Some participants have provided insights into potential misunderstandings regarding the problem setup, while others have expressed confusion about the formulas being used. There is no explicit consensus on the correct approach yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating the complexities of vector addition and the implications of wind direction on flight path calculations. The original poster has noted discrepancies in their calculations when checked against an online platform.

turpy
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Homework Statement
A plane has an airspeed of 200 mph. The pilot wishes to reach a destination 600 mi due east, but a wind is blowing at 10.0 mph in the direction 10.0 degrees north of east.
In what direction must the pilot head the plane in order to reach her destination?


______________ degrees south of east

The attempt at a solution
I drew two vectors
one horizontal facing east of magnitude 200 mph (plane) + 10cos10 (wind)
and one vertical of magnitude 10sin10
I solved for the angle b/w the horizontal vector and the resultant vector
arctan theta = (10sin10/(200+10cos10))
and I get that theta = 0.474 degrees south of east

When I type this answer (0.474) into masteringphysics.com, it tells me that I'm incorrect.
What is it that I'm doing wrong?

Thanks!
 
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turpy said:
Homework Statement
A plane has an airspeed of 200 mph. The pilot wishes to reach a destination 600 mi due east, but a wind is blowing at 10.0 mph in the direction 10.0 degrees north of east.
In what direction must the pilot head the plane in order to reach her destination?


______________ degrees south of east

The attempt at a solution
I drew two vectors
one horizontal facing east of magnitude 200 mph (plane) + 10cos10 (wind)
and one vertical of magnitude 10sin10
I solved for the angle b/w the horizontal vector and the resultant vector
arctan theta = (10sin10/(200+10cos10))
and I get that theta = 0.474 degrees south of east

When I type this answer (0.474) into masteringphysics.com, it tells me that I'm incorrect.
What is it that I'm doing wrong?

Thanks!

Your wind triangle is in error. The desired ground track (velocity unknown) is due east; the 200 mph is the length of a vector along the new heading which you have yet to determine.

I really have no idea how your formula means.
 
OH! thank you so much i get it now

now i have arcsin theta = (10sin10)/200
theta = 0.497 south of east, which is the correct answer

a simple question but i totally misinterpreted what "airspeed" meant
 
You're welcome.

As a navigator if I fed that to the pilot he'd try to do it, but share a laugh with the copilot. But that's when there were navigators.
 

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