Question

An airplane is heading south at a speed of 600km/h. If a wind begins blowing from the southwest at a speed of 100km/h, calculate: a) The velocity (magnitude and direction) of the plane relative to the ground. b) How far away from its intended position will it be after 10min if the pilot takes no corrective action? c) In what direction should the pilot aim in order to fly due south?

Answer 1

Answer:

Here's what I got:

Let's assume that N and E are + directions while S and W are - directions.

Wind is blowing from SW; thus, it is blowing towards NE (or at 45 deg N of E).

Dividing the wind's speed into components:y-component: +70.71 km/h; x-component: +70.71 km/h

Dividing the airplane's speed into components:y-component: -600 km/h; x-component: 0 km/h

Adding the components to get the resulting components:y-component: -529.29 km/h; x-component: +70.71

Using the Pythagorean Theorem to find the resulting speed:v^2 = y^2 + x^2 so v = 533.99 km/h

To find the angle of direction, use arctan (y/x):arctan (529.29/70.71) = 82.39 deg

ANSWER: velocity = 533.99 km/h at 82.39 deg S of E

Explanation: