Question

Can someone explain the component method?

Answer 1

I think you mean breaking vectors into their x and y components. Is that right?

Answer 2

Yes

Answer 3

The idea behind the method is to use right triangles to break vectors into x and y components.

Answer 4

Then you can use kinematics equations for the x direction and y direction separately.

Answer 5

The only variable that is used in both x and y calculations is time.

Answer 6

So, the equations can be linked using time.

Answer 7

Let me know if you have any more specific questions.

Answer 8

Thanks! I was wondering if you can help me understand why the ground speed of a plane heading due east will be greater than its airspeed when the wind is coming from the north?

Answer 9

Think of the two motions as acting independently -
The plane flies through the air heading east (let's say it flies 200miles in 1 hour)

The air moves south (lets say it moves 20 miles in one hour)

Now BOTH those motions have affected the plane's position - so it has moved BOTH 200miles East AND 20 miles South.

So the total distance it has moved over the ground is a 'diagonal' track which is longer than 200 m (calculate it using trig). But it has covered this distance over the ground in 1 hour - so its groundspeed is greater than its airspeed

Answer 10

Sorry for the late medal :p