Question

A plane flying due west at 120 m/sec is blown due south at 54 m/sec. by a strong wind. Find the plane’s resultant velocity and direction angle as a degree.

velocity = ___ m/sec (round answer to nearest whole number)


Direction angle = ____ ° (round answer to nearest whole number)

Answer 1

`131.6\ \text{m/s}`

`24^(\circ)`

Explanation:

p = Velocity of plane = 120 m/s

w = Velocity of wind = 54 m/s

The resultant vector is

`r=√(p^2+w^2)\\\Rightarrow r=√(120^2+54^2)\\\Rightarrow r=131.6\ \text{m/s}`

The resultant is
`131.6\ \text{m/s}`

Angle is given by

`\theta=\tan^(-1)(54)/(120)\\\Rightarrow \theta=24.23^(\circ)\approx 24^(\circ)`

The direction angle is
`24^(\circ)`