Can anyone help me with easy physics?

Discussion in 'General Discussions' started by PrinceErik, Feb 24, 2010.

  1. PrinceErik

    PrinceErik Level IV

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    The problem is:

    The speed of an object and the direction in which it moves constitute a vector quantity known as the velocity. An ostrich is running at a speed of 17.0 m/s in a direction of 68 degrees north of west. what is the magnitude of the ostrich's velocity component that is directed (a) due north and (b)due west

    answers are:
    (a)- 15.8 m/s
    (b)- 6.37 m/s

    this should be really easy, but i am just blanking, can anyone tell me what i need to do, or show me the steps? Thanks
     
  2. synthetic

    synthetic Level III

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    you have to draw a diagram, the vertical component is the magnitude directed north while the horizontal component is directed west. just solve the triangle

    so:

    mang. north:
    sin 68 = y/17.0
    y = 15.76

    mang. west:
    sin 22 = x/17.0
    x = 6.37

    [​IMG]
     
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  3. PrinceErik

    PrinceErik Level IV

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    Thanks synthetic, i wqas just having a complete brain fart and i kept trying to make it way harder than it had to be