Under what conditions is the magnitude of the vector sum equal to the sum of the magnitudes of the two vectors?
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Textbook Solutions for Essential University Physics: Volume 1
Question
A migrating whale follows the west coast of Mexico and North America toward its summer home in Alaska. It first travels 360 km northwest to just off the coast of northern California, and then turns due north and travels 400 km toward its destination. Determine graphically the magnitude and direction of its displacement.
Solution
The first step in solving 3 problem number 13 trying to solve the problem we have to refer to the textbook question: A migrating whale follows the west coast of Mexico and North America toward its summer home in Alaska. It first travels 360 km northwest to just off the coast of northern California, and then turns due north and travels 400 km toward its destination. Determine graphically the magnitude and direction of its displacement.
From the textbook chapter Motion in Two and Three Dimensions you will find a few key concepts needed to solve this.
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