The correct answer is:
the distance of the orbiting object to Earth.
In fact, we know that the gravitational force that keeps the object in circular motion around the Earth is equal to the centripetal force, so we can write:
If we re-arrange the equation, we find an expression for the tangential speed of the object:
and we see that it depends on 3 quantities: G, M (the mass of the Earth) and r (the distance of the object from the Earth).
Answer:
a) Please, see the attched figure
b) Total displacement R = (78.3 km; -4.8 km)
c) R = (78.4 km * cos (-3.5°); 78.4 km * sin (-3.5°))
d) The hippo is 78.4 km from his starting point.
The total distance traveled is 102 km
Explanation:
a)Please, see the attached figure.
b) The vector A can be expressed as:
A = (magnitude * cos α; magnitude * sin α)
Where
magnitude = 42 km
α= 0
Then,
A = (42 km ; 0) or 42 km i
In the same way, we can proceed with the other vectors:
B = ( Bx ; By)
where
(apply trigonometry of right triangles: sen α = opposite / hypotenuse and
cos α = adjacent / hypotenuse. See the figure to determine which component of vector B is the opposite and adjacent side to α)
Bx = 28 km * sin 25 = 11.8 km
By = 28 km * cos 25 = -25.4 km (it has to be negative since it is directed towards the negative vertical region according to our reference system)
B = (11.8 km; -25.4 km) or 11.8 km i - 25.4 km j
C = (Cx; Cy)
where
Cx = 32 km * cos 40° = 24.5 km
Cy = 32 km * sin 40 = 20.6 km
C = (24.5 km; 20.6 km)
Then:
R = A+B+C = (42 km + 11.8 km + 24.5 km; 0 - 25.4 km + 20.6 km)
= (78.3 km; -4.8 km) or 78.3 km i -4.8 km j
c) R = (78.3 km; -4.8 km)
The magnitude of R is:
Using trigonometry, we can calculate the angle:
Knowing that
tan α = opposite / adjacent
and that
opposite = Ry = -4.8 km
adjacent = Rx = 78.3 km
Then:
tan α = -4.8 km / 78.4 km
α = -3.5°
We can now write the vector R in magnitude and direction form:
R = (78.4 km * cos (-3.5°); 78.4 km * sin (-3.5°))
d) The displacement of the hipo relative to the starting point is the magnitude of vector R calculated in c):
magnitude R = 78. 4 km
The total distance traveled is the sum of the magnitudes of each vector:
Total distance = 42 km + 28 km + 32 km = 102 km
