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Textbook Solutions for College Physics

Chapter 3 Problem 52

Question

Bryan Allen pedaled a human-powered aircraft across the English Channel from the cliffs of Dover to Cap Gris-Nez on June 12, 1979.

(a) He flew for 169 min at an average velocity of 3.53 m/s in a direction 45º south of east. What was his total displacement?

(b) Allen encountered a headwind averaging 2.00 m/s almost precisely in the opposite direction of his motion relative to the Earth. What was his average velocity relative to the air?

(c) What was his total displacement relative to the air mass?

Solution

Step 1 of 3

We need to find the total displacement of Bryan while he was crossing the English Channel with an average velocity of 3.53m/s along \(45^{\circ}\) south of east for 169 minutes. We also need to compute the average velocity of Bryan relative to air if he encounters a headwind of 2m/s in direction opposite to his motion. The total displacement relative to the air mass also have to be calculated. 

To compute the above mentioned parameters, we need to resolve the velocity vector into its components. 

The components of velocity are as follows:

\(\begin{array}{l}
v_{\text {east }}=x \cos 45^{\circ} \\
v_{\text {south }}=x \sin 45^{\circ}
\end{array}\)

Where \(v_{\text {east }}\) is the velocity relative to earth in east direction. 

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full solution

Title College Physics  1 
Author Paul Peter Urone, Roger Hinrichs
ISBN 9781938168000

Bryan Allen pedaled a human-powered aircraft across the

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