Final answer:
To find the northward component of the plane's velocity when it heads at an angle of 30 degrees West of North at a speed of 250 m/s, the cosine of the angle is used, providing the value of approximately 216.5 m/s.
Step-by-step explanation:
The northward component of the plane's velocity can be calculated using trigonometry. In this case, we are looking for the component of the plane's velocity in the direction north, which can be found using the cosine function because the velocity vector is at an angle of 30 degrees West of North. Therefore, the northward component of the velocity is given by 250 m/s multiplied by the cosine of 30 degrees.
Using the formula:
VNorth = VTotal × cos(θ)
Where VTotal is 250 m/s and θ is 30 degrees, we have:
VNorth = 250 m/s × cos(30°)
VNorth is approximately 216.5 m/s, which makes option (b) the correct answer.