Question

A plane has a speed of 650 km/hr. The wind is at a 90 degree angle to the plane with a
speed of 75 km/hr. What are the magnitude and direction of the combined speed?
Show all work and include proper units.

Answer 1

Answer:

Let the plane be flying east (to the right) and the wind north

Vx = 650 km/hr i                 speed to East

Vy = 75 km/hr j                    speed to North

V = (650^2 + 75^2)^1/2 = 654 km/hr       net speed

tan θ = Vy / Vx = 75 / 650 = .115        θ = 6.58 deg N of E