Question

A wildlife researcher is tracking a flock of geese. The geese fly 4.0 km due west, then turn toward the north by 40º and fly another 4.0 km. What is the magnitude of their displacement? Calculate this and enter it, in km, to two significant figures.

Answer 1

Wildlife researcher starts from a and then reaches b, he turns towards north 40 degree to move towards c.

Total displacement is ac

Total horizontal displacement = 4+4 cos40 =7.06 km

Total vertical displacement = 4 sin40 =2.57 km

Total displacement $= \sqrt{7.06^2+2.57^2}$ = 7.51 km