/*! This file is auto-generated */ .wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none} Problem 72 A boat that can travel at \(4.0 ... [FREE SOLUTION] | 91Ó°ÊÓ

91Ó°ÊÓ

A boat that can travel at \(4.0 \mathrm{km} / \mathrm{h}\) in still water crosses a river with a current of \(1.8 \mathrm{km} / \mathrm{h}\). At what angle must the boat be pointed upstream to travel straight across the river? In other words, in what direction is the velocity of the boat relative to the water?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Answer: The boat must be pointed about \(29.97^\circ\) upstream relative to the water.

Step by step solution

01

Understand the problem

We want to find an angle such that the boat's direction in still water has a perpendicular component that exactly cancels the river's current (so that the boat moves straight across the river). The boat's velocity in still water is \(4.0\mathrm{km/h}\). The river's current runs at \(1.8\mathrm{km/h}\).
02

Apply Pythagorean theorem

Let \(v_b\) be the velocity of the boat in still water, and \(c\) be the current of the river. We can break down \(v_b\) into two components: \(v_{bx}\) — the component parallel to the current, and \(v_{by}\) — the component perpendicular to the current. The Pythagorean theorem tells us that \(v_{b}^2 = v_{bx}^2 + v_{by}^2\).
03

Determine the component of the boat's velocity that cancels the current

In order for the boat to move straight across the river, the component of the boat's velocity perpendicular to the current (\(v_{by}\)) must equal the current (\(c\)). Thus, \(v_{by} = 1.8\mathrm{km/h}\).
04

Calculate the component of the boat's velocity parallel to the current

Using the Pythagorean theorem from Step 2 with \(v_{by} = 1.8\mathrm{km/h}\), we can calculate the component \(v_{bx}\): \(v_{bx}^2 = v_b^2 - v_{by}^2 = (4.0\mathrm{km/h})^2 - (1.8\mathrm{km/h})^2 = 10.76\mathrm{km^2/h^2}\). Then, \(v_{bx} = \sqrt{10.76}\mathrm{km/h} \approx 3.28\mathrm{km/h}\).
05

Find the angle of the boat relative to the water

Now we can use trigonometric functions to find the angle \(\theta\). From Step 3 and 4, we have the values of both the adjacent side (\(v_{bx} = 3.28\mathrm{km/h}\)) and the opposite side (\(v_{by} = 1.8\mathrm{km/h}\)) of the angle. We use the tangent function: \(\tan(\theta) = \frac{v_{by}}{v_{bx}}\), and so \(\theta = \arctan(\frac{1.8}{3.28}) \approx 29.97^\circ\). The boat must be pointed about \(29.97^\circ\) upstream relative to the water in order to travel straight across the river.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91Ó°ÊÓ!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

An airplane has a velocity relative to the ground of \(210 \mathrm{m} / \mathrm{s}\) toward the east. The pilot measures his airspeed (the speed of the plane relative to the air) to be \(160 \mathrm{m} / \mathrm{s}\) What is the minimum wind velocity possible?

Two cars are driving toward each other on a straight and level road in Alaska. The BMW is traveling at \(100.0 \mathrm{km} / \mathrm{h}\) north and the VW is traveling at \(42 \mathrm{km} / \mathrm{h}\) south, both velocities measured relative to the road. At a certain instant, the distance between the cars is \(10.0 \mathrm{km} .\) Approximately how long will it take from that instant for the two cars to meet? [Hint: Consider a reference frame in which one of the cars is at rest. \(]\)
You have been employed by the local circus to plan their human cannonball performance. For this act, a spring-loaded cannon will shoot a human projectile, the Great Flyinski, across the big top to a net below. The net is located \(5.0 \mathrm{m}\) lower than the muzzle of the cannon from which the Great Flyinski is launched. The cannon will shoot the Great Flyinski at an angle of \(35.0^{\circ}\) above the horizontal and at a speed of $18.0 \mathrm{m} / \mathrm{s} .$ The ringmaster has asked that you decide how far from the cannon to place the net so that the Great Flyinski will land in the net and not be splattered on the floor, which would greatly disturb the audience. What do you tell the ringmaster? ( Wheractive: projectile motion)
A ball is thrown horizontally off the edge of a cliff with an initial speed of \(20.0 \mathrm{m} / \mathrm{s} .\) (a) How long does it take for the ball to fall to the ground 20.0 m below? (b) How long would it take for the ball to reach the ground if it were dropped from rest off the cliff edge? (c) How long would it take the ball to fall to the ground if it were thrown at an initial velocity of \(20.0 \mathrm{m} / \mathrm{s}\) but \(18^{\circ}\) below the horizontal?
To get to a concert in time, a harpsichordist has to drive \(122 \mathrm{mi}\) in \(2.00 \mathrm{h} .\) (a) If he drove at an average speed of \(55.0 \mathrm{mi} / \mathrm{h}\) in a due west direction for the first $1.20 \mathrm{h}\( what must be his average speed if he is heading \)30.0^{\circ}$ south of west for the remaining 48.0 min? (b) What is his average velocity for the entire trip?
See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Physics Textbooks

View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.