Question

A swimmer is heading directly across a river 200 m wide and reaches the opposite bank in 6 minutes and 40 seconds, during which time she is swept downstream 480 m. What is the speed of the current

Answer 1

v = 1.2 m/s

Step-by-step explanation:

The speed of current is in the direction of downstream. Hence, we will use distance the swimmer was swept through. We can use the following formula for the speed of current:

`s = vt`

where,

s = distance through which she was swept = 480 m

v = speed of current = ?

t = time taken =
`(6\ min)((60\ sec)/(1\ min)) + 40\ sec = 360\ sec + 40\ sec`

t = 400 sec

Therefore, using values in the equation, we get:

`480\ m = v*(400\ sec)\\\\v = (480\ m)/(400\ sec)`

v = 1.2 m/s