Frames of Motion: Angle, Speed & River Flow

In summary, the direction of a boat is determined by the resultant of all the forces acting on it, including the force of the engine, the force of the river, and the force of the rudder. This resultant force is what ultimately determines whether the boat goes upstream, downstream, or straight across. The angle at which the boat is pointed and the speed of the boat and the river also play a role in determining the direction of the boat. The rudder is responsible for changing the direction of the boat by providing an additional force. Ultimately, the resultant force of all the forces acting on the boat determines its direction.
  • #1
marshall4
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What determines whether a boat goes upstream, downstream, or straight across?

Is it be the angle that the boat is pointed, the speed of the boat and the speed of the river?
 
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  • #2
What determines whether a boat goes upstream, downstream, or straight across?

Is it be the angle that the boat is pointed, the speed of the boat and the speed of the river?

Things are reluctant to change their velocity and therefore direction. In order to start the boat moving it is going to need some force acting on it. It could be the force of the engine that got it up to speed and then when the viscous drag force of the water became equal to that of the engines thrust force it would mentain a constant speed.

Since the engine is connected to the boat, no matter which way the boat is oriented, there is going to be force pushing it in the direction the boat is pointed. To make the boat move a different direction to that in which it is pointed there must be an additional force. For instance this is the job of the rudder. As the boat travels along the water hits the rudder and bounces off it at the same angle it hit. As it bounces off the rudder it provides an equal and opposite <b>force</b>, thus modifying the resultant force of the boat. The resultant force of the boat is the direction in which the boat is traveling and can be found by adding up all the forces acting on the boat. E.g. a NorthEast force and a SouthEast force acting on a body would cause it to accelerate in an easterly direction.

In conclusion to your question the resultant of all the forces acting on the boat determine its direction.

The direction of the boat determines the Thrust force of the boat, but the force of the traveling river would have to be taken into consideration as it would modify the resultant force of the boat.

It has been an honour answering your question (wow wot a sado i must be lol) if u have any more questions, or if i u think i have missed something then please let me know. My email is mceddy2001@hotamil.com

:smile:
 

FAQ: Frames of Motion: Angle, Speed & River Flow

What is the concept of "Frames of Motion"?

The concept of "Frames of Motion" refers to the idea that the perception of an object's motion and speed can vary depending on the observer's frame of reference. In other words, an object's motion and speed may appear different to different observers depending on their relative position and movement.

How does angle affect an object's motion?

The angle at which an object is moving can affect its speed and direction. When an object is moving at an angle, its motion can be broken down into two components: horizontal and vertical. The horizontal component determines the object's speed, while the vertical component affects its direction.

How does speed affect an object's motion?

Speed is a measure of how fast an object is moving. It affects an object's motion by determining how quickly it can cover a certain distance. The higher the speed, the faster the object can move. However, speed alone does not determine an object's motion; factors like direction and angle also play a role.

How does river flow affect an object's motion?

River flow refers to the speed and direction of a river's current. When an object is moving in a river, the flow of the river can affect its motion. The object's speed and direction may be influenced by the river's current, making it appear to move differently to different observers depending on their position relative to the river.

How can the concept of "Frames of Motion" be applied in real life?

The concept of "Frames of Motion" has many practical applications in everyday life. For example, it can help explain why objects may appear to move differently when viewed from different perspectives, such as in a moving car or on a rotating amusement park ride. It is also important in fields such as physics and engineering, where understanding different frames of reference is crucial in analyzing and predicting the motion of objects.

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