Applications of Vectors - Velocity

Velocity is another vector quantity. When travelling in water, the current also has a velocity that pushes the traveller. To determine the resultant velocity, and the speed of travel, we need to add the velocity vectors!


Josh can paddle at a speed of \(5\;[\text{km}/\text{h}]\) in still water. He wishes to cross a river \(400 \; [\text{m}]\) wide that has a current of \(2 \; [\text{km}/\text{h}]\). If he steers the canoe in a direction perpendicular to the current, determine the resultant velocity and find the point on the opposite bank where the canoe touches. If he wishes to travel straight across the river, determine the direction he must head and the time it will rake him to cross the river.

Step 1


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Step 3


An airplane heading northwest at \(500 \; [\text{km/h}]\) encounters a wind of \(120 \; [\text{km/h}]\) from \(65°\) east of north. Determine the resultant ground velocity of the plane.



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