Solving for The Relative Motion of a Boat: Angle & Speed

AI Thread Summary
To solve for the relative motion of the boat, one must consider the vector addition of the boat's speed and the water's current. The boat's speed is 5.0 m/s, and the water flows at 1.4 m/s, requiring the calculation of the angle relative to the x-axis to reach the dock at coordinates (55 m, 11.7 m). By constructing a vector triangle, the angle can be determined, which will also help in calculating the boat's speed relative to the ground. The discussion emphasizes the importance of treating velocity as a vector to find the correct angle and resultant speed. Understanding these principles is crucial for accurately solving the problem.
omerr
Messages
1
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


suppose the boat is initially at x = 0, y = 0. and the dock is located at x = 55 m, y = 11.7 m relative to this starting point. Assume that the speed of the boat relative to the water is 5.0 m/s and that the speed of the water relative to the ground is 1.4 m/s.
(a) At what angle relative to the x-axis must the boat be pointed in order to reach the other dock?
(b) With the angle found in part (a), what is the speed of the boat relative to the ground?



Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution

 
Physics news on Phys.org
Welcome to PF!

Hi omerr! Welcome to PF! :smile:

Hint: velocity is a vector, so velocities obey the law of vector addition.

So draw a vector triangle (and tell us what you get). :smile:
 

Thread 'Rolling without slipping on a curved surface'

Kindly see the attached pdf. My attempt to solve it, is in it. I'm wondering if my solution is right. My idea is this: At any point of time, the ball may be assumed to be at an incline which is at an angle of θ(kindly see both the pics in the pdf file). The value of θ will continuously change and so will the value of friction. I'm not able to figure out, why my solution is wrong, if it is wrong .
View full post »

Thread 'Struggling to understand the concept of this question (ice cube in water optics question)'

TL;DR Summary: I came across this question from a Sri Lankan A-level textbook. Question - An ice cube with a length of 10 cm is immersed in water at 0 °C. An observer observes the ice cube from the water, and it seems to be 7.75 cm long. If the refractive index of water is 4/3, find the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. I could not understand how the apparent height of the ice cube in the water depends on the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. Does anyone have an...
View full post »

Similar threads

What is the speed of the boat relative to the water?
Replies
6
Views
4K
Man pulling a boat along the water with a rope (from above on a steep bank)
Replies
31
Views
2K
A ferry boat is crossing a river that is 8.5 x 10^2 m wide.
Replies
5
Views
3K
River question (looking for angles and headings)
Replies
8
Views
2K
Finding the magnitude and direction of a boat's motion
Replies
7
Views
2K
What Is the Speed of the Man Relative to the Ground?
Replies
11
Views
2K
How Should the Rescue Boat Adjust Its Heading if the Child Swims Upstream?
Replies
4
Views
4K
Boat with Friction: CoM / Minimum Time Problem
Replies
1
Views
2K
Velocity and position of the boat
Replies
2
Views
4K
Solving for Angle to Destroy Rocket Launcher
Replies
8
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top