Question

FLIGHT Using the information from problem 2, calculate the magnitude and direction for the resultant of the horizontal vector total and vertical vector total.

Answer 1

Using the Pythagorean theorem and trigonometry, the magnitude of the resultant vector is found to be 7.2 m/s and its direction is 32.0 degrees south of the east.

Step-by-step explanation:

To calculate the magnitude and direction of the resultant vector from horizontal (Ax) and vertical (Ay) component totals, you apply the Pythagorean theorem and trigonometry. According to the provided information and instructions, you should first measure the magnitude of the resultant vector (R) with a ruler, indicating in the example that it is 7.2 cm, which corresponds to a magnitude (velocity) of 7.2 m/s. Moreover, the direction of the vector is given by the angle between the vector and the nearest horizontal axis, which requires using a protractor. If the resultant vector is south of the eastward pointing axis, as stated, you would measure the angle with the protractor upside down. The measured angle is 32.0° in this example.

Based on the steps provided, the magnitude of the resultant vector (Vtot) is found to be 7.2 m/s, and the direction of the resultant vector (angle θ) is 32.0° south of the eastward pointing axis.