Question

Review ▼ Part A A flock of ducks is trying to migrate south for the winter, but they keep being blown off course by a wind blowing from the west at 4.0 m/s. A wise elder duck finally realizes that the solution is to fly at an angle to the wind. If the ducks can fly at 7.0 m/s relative to the air, what direction should they head in order to move directly south? 235 west of south Ans SubmitP Incorrect; Try Again; 2 attempts remaining < Return to Assignment Provide Feedback

Answer 1

As mentioned in the problem, the ducks had been heading due South, at 7.0 m/s, but were hit by the side wind from the west at 4.0 m/s.

Therefore, to counter this, the ducks have to have a West-ward component of 4.0 m/s.

This means, if their angle (west of south) is alpha,

Then,

7.0*sin(alpha) = 4.0 m/s

=> sin(alpha) = 4.0/7.0 = 0.5714

=> alpha = arcsin(0.5714) = 34.85 deg. west of south.