High School

An airplane travels 141 km/h toward the northeast (45 degrees up from east). What is its component of velocity due north?

1) 41 km/h
2) 100 km/h
3) 110 km/h
4) 141 km/h

Answer :

Final answer:

The component of velocity due north for an airplane traveling northeast at 141 km/h is approximately 100 km/h, calculated using the cosine of a 45-degree angle.

Explanation:

The component of velocity due north for an airplane traveling 141 km/h toward the northeast can be calculated using trigonometry. Since northeast is 45 degrees up from east, the northward component would be the cosine of 45 degrees times the total velocity. The cosine of 45 degrees (cos 45°) is √2/2 or approximately 0.7071. Therefore, the northward component of the airplane's velocity is 141 km/h * 0.7071, which equals approximately 100 km/h.