Question

Problem set 3 » (8) river swimming a swimmer heads directly across a river, swimming at her maximum speed of 1.30 m/s relative to the water. She arrives at a point 48.0 m downstream from the point directly across the river, 64.0 m wide. What is the speed of the river current?

Answer 1

Velocity of swimmer across river = 1.30 m/s

Distance arrived downstream = 48 m

Width of river = 64 m

Time taken to cross river = $\frac{Width of river}{Velocity across river}$

                                          = $\frac{64}{1.30} =49.23 s$

Speed of river current = $\frac{Distance arrived downstream}{Time taken to cross river}$

                                     = $\frac{48}{49.23} = 0.975 m/s$

So, the river is flowing at a speed 0.975 m/s.