Vectors and Projectiles: Audio Guided Solution

Mechanics: Vectors and Projectiles

Coach Sweeney walks 26 yards to the north along the sideline, pauses, and walks 12 yards back to the south.

a. Determine the distance which Coach moved.
b. Determine Coach's resultant displacement.

a. 38 yd
b. 14 yd, north

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., v_ox = 12.4 m/s, v_oy = 0.0 m/s, d_x = 32.7 m, d_y = ???.
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.

Get more information on the topic of Vectors and Projectiles at The Physics Classroom Tutorial.

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