Question

Suppose Isaac Newton can swim with a velocity of 35 m/sec. If Isaac Newton swims straight

across a river with a current of 22 m/sec, then what is the magnitude of Newton's resulting
velocity as he swims across the river. Note: Sir Isaac Newton swims like Aquaman.

Answer 1

Let Vx = 35 m/s speed of swimmer across river

Vy = 22 m/s speed of river dowstream

V = (Vx^2 + Vy^2)^1/2 = 41.3 m/s net speed of swimmer

tan theta = Vy / Vx = .629 theta = 32.2 deg

(Theta would be zero if speed of river was zero)\