Ch 3 HW

Phy 201

My question is from Ch.3 Homework #1 -- I am sure the solution is very simple and I am just trying too hard but I am not sure how to work this problem. A car is driven 215km west and then 85km southwest. What is the displacement of the car from the point of origin (magnitude and direction)? I drew a diagram--the 215km on the negative x axis and then 85km southwest, I also drew the resultant vector. I know how to calculate the magnitude from the x and y components but I am not sure how to in this situation.

With a map in standard orientation with East to the right and North up, West will be at 180 deg to the positive x axis and southwest will be right between 180 deg and 270 deg, at 225 deg.

Using these angles and the distances you can calculate the x and y components of the two displacements.

I think this will clear it up for you. If not, let me know.