Maths · Components of a vector in two dimensions and three-dimensional spaces
An airplane is heading north east at a speed of . The northward component of its
An airplane is heading north east at a speed of \( 141 m s^{-1} \). The northward component of its velocity is:
- A. \( 141.4 m s^{-1} \)
- B. \( 100 \mathrm{ms}^{-1} \)
- C. zero
- D. \( 50 m s^{-1} \)
Step-by-step solution
The airplane is heading northeast, which is at a 45° angle to both north and east. The northward component of velocity is given by v * cos(45°). With v = 141 m/s, cos(45°) = √2/2 ≈ 0.7071, so the northward component ≈ 141 * 0.7071 ≈ 100 m/s.