Question

The altitude of a hang glider is increasing at a rate of 6.75 m/s. At the same time, the shadow of the glider moves along the ground at a speed of 15.0 m/s when the sun is directly overhead. Calculate the magnitude of the glider's velocity.

Answer 1

Answer:

16.45 m/s

Explanation:

Let y be the vertical distance and x be the horizontal distance

We are given that

The altitude of hang glider increasing at the rate=$v_y=\frac{dy}{dt}==6.75m/s$

The shadow of the glider moves along the ground at speed=$v_x=\frac{dx}{dt}=15m/s$

We have to find the magnitude of glider's velocity.

We know that

Magnitude of velocity=$v=\sqrt{v^2_x+v^2_y}$

Substitute the values

$v=\sqrt{(15)^2+(6.75)^2}$

$v=\sqrt{225+45.5625}$

$v=16.45m/s$

Hence, the magnitude of glider's velocity=16.45 m/s