Thread: Trigonometry in Physics

Alright guys, here is a problem I have encountered in my Physics class that deals with trigonometry, giving me problems...:

A plane travels 2.5 km at an angle of 35° to the ground, then changes direction and travels 5.2 km at an angle of 22° to the ground. What is the magnitude (total distance) and direction (So many degrees to whatever cardinal direction) of the planes total displacement?

The attatchment below is my interpretation of the problem.



Thank you in advance

Well, I think I have solved it, yielding 4.33km to the West of North @ approximately 50° (49.7° to be a little more acurate). However, I could be wrong and will wait and see

Originally Posted by zacharyrod

Well, I think I have solved it, yielding 4.33km to the West of North @ approximately 50° (49.7° to be a little more acurate). However, I could be wrong and will wait and see

Your marking of 22 degree is wrong. The second displacement is 22 degrees to the ground.