Question

A hiker travels 45 degrees north of east for 30 km. What is his NORTH (or y) displacement component? Round your answer and include units.

Answer 1

consider X-axis along the east-west direction and north-south direction along Y-axis

A = magnitude of distance traveled by hiker in north-east direction = 30 kilometer

θ = angle of direction of displacement of the hiker relative to x-axis or east direction = 45 degree counterclockwise

A' = component of distance traveled by the hiker along the east direction.

Since the angle is given with the x-axis, the Sin provides the component in Y-direction. hence

Using the equation

A' = A Sinθ

Inserting the values

A' = (30) Sin45

A' = 21.2 km