Question

A seagull flies at a velocity of 8.00 m/s straight into the wind. Take the direction of the bird as the positive direction. What is the velocity of the seagull relative to the wind?

1) 8.00 m/s
2) 0 m/s
3) -8.00 m/s
4) Cannot be determined

Answer 1

The velocity of the seagull relative to the wind is 8.00 m/s if the bird is flying into the wind at a velocity of 8.00 m/s with the bird's direction considered positive.

Step-by-step explanation:

The velocity of the seagull relative to the wind is the seagull's airspeed minus the wind's speed relative to the Earth. If the seagull is flying directly into the wind at a velocity of 8.00 m/s and we take the direction of the bird as the positive direction,

the wind's velocity relative to the seagull would also be 8.00 m/s, but in the opposite direction. Thus, the velocity of the seagull relative to the wind is 8.00 m/s (option 1).