Question

A descent vehicle landing on the moon has a vertical velocity toward the surface of the moon of 36.5 m/s. At the same time, it has a horizontal velocity of 55.3 m/s. At what speed does the vehicle move along its descent path? Answer in units of m/s

Answer 1

66.26 m/s

Step-by-step explanation:

Horizontal velocity, Vx = 55.3 m/s

Vertical velocity, Vy = 36.5 m/s

The value of the resultant velocity is given by the vector sum of the two velocities which are acting at 90°.

`V=\sqrt{V_(x)^(2)+V_(y^(2))}`

`V=\sqrt{55.3^(2)+36.5^(2)}}`

V = 66.26 m/s

Thus, the velocity of the vehicle is 66.26 m/s along its descent path.