Question

I am having trouble with this question. I don't understand how to set up the triangles to find the components etc. Can someone help me?

1A-6 A small plane wishes to fly due north at 200 mph (as seen from the ground), in a wind blowing from the northeast at 50 mph. Tell with what vector velocity in the air it should travel (give the i j -components)

Answer 1

Since desired velocity is <0,200>, and wind is <-25rt(2), -25rt(2)>, plane's starting velocity must be <25rt(2), 200+25rt(2)>

Answer 2

The way you set up the triangles is with one side or vector being the direction/speed(magnitude) the plane wishes to fly. This is 200mph at due north. Make one of the other sides (or vectors) the windspeed/direction, which is 50 mph northeast, which is the vector <-25rt(2), -25rt(2)>. The last side which connects these two is the vector you are trying to find-the starting velocity vector of the plane. If that doesn't help, let me know and I'll post a picture.

Answer 3

thank you! this does help to explain the problem better. and it would also be even more helpful if you could draw the picture if it's not too much to ask?