Question

A pilot flies her route in two straight-line segments. The displacement vector A for the first segment has a magnitude of 232 km and a direction 30.0o north of east. The displacement vector B for the second segment has a magnitude of 168 km and a direction due west. The resultant displacement vector is R = A + B and makes an angle θ with the direction due east. Using the component method, find (a) the magnitude of R and (b) the directional angle θ.

Answer 1

Answer:

a) 121 km

b) 74°

Explanation:

To start with, we assume that there exist two components, the East and the North. We'd be representing the East, by "e" and the North, by "n"

Now we start with the

First vector:

east1 = 232 cos 30 = 201

north1 = 232 sin 30 = 116

Now, that of the second vector will be

east 2 = - 168

north2 = 0

Next, we add the two together and get

East components

201 - 168 = 33 east

North components

116 + 0 = 116

Therefore, the magnitude has to be

magnitude = √(33² + 116²)

Magnitude = √14545

Magnitude = 121

tanθ = 116/33

Tanθ = 3.51

θ = tan^-1 3.51

θ = 74° North East