Final answer:
To find the speed of the boat in the given conditions, we can use the concept of relative velocity and the formula: Speed of boat + Speed of current = Speed of boat in still water. By substituting the given values into the equation, we can determine the speed of the current.
Step-by-step explanation:
In this question, the subject is Physics and the grade level is High School.
The boat in question is capable of traveling at a speed of 15 miles per hour in still water. On a particular day, it took 30 minutes longer to travel a distance of 10 miles.
To find the speed of the boat in the given conditions, we need to determine the effect of the current. We can use the concept of relative velocity to solve this problem. Let's assume the speed of the current is 'c' miles per hour.
Therefore, the formula for the speed of the boat with respect to the current is:
Speed of boat + Speed of current = Speed of boat in still water
Substituting the given values, we have:
15 + c = 10 / (30 / 60)
Simplifying the equation, we find:
c = 5 / (30 / 60) - 15
c = 10 - 15
c = -5 miles per hour
So, the speed of the current is -5 miles per hour.
Therefore, the speed of the current is 5 miles per hour in the opposite direction of the boat's motion.