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Mechanics: Vectors and Projectiles

Vectors and Projectiles: Audio Guided Solution

Problem 16:

Taylor and Drew finish their last class on the day before Spring break and decide to take a spontaneous road trip. Their trip involves the following movements:

42 miles, 67° north of west (113° CCW)
61 miles, west
23 miles, 17° west of south (253° CCW)

Taylor's car breaks down after the last leg of the trip. How far and in what direction are Taylor and Drew from campus?


Audio Guided Solution

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Habits of an Effective Problem Solver

  • Read the problem carefully and develop a mental picture of the physical situation. If necessary, sketch a simple diagram of the physical situation to help you visualize it.
  • Identify the known and unknown quantities in an organized manner. Equate given values to the symbols used to represent the corresponding quantity - e.g., vox = 12.4 m/s, voy = 0.0 m/s, dx = 32.7 m, dy = ???.
  • Use physics formulas and conceptual reasoning to plot a strategy for solving for the unknown quantity.
  • Identify the appropriate formula(s) to use.
  • Perform substitutions and algebraic manipulations in order to solve for the unknown quantity.

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