Ships in Distress: Who Will Reach First?

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In summary, the conversation discusses a scenario where two ships, the athabasca and the Britiannia, see flares from a distressed ship. The athabasca notes that the flares are at a bearing of N41 degrees E and the Britiannia sees them at a bearing of 310 degrees. The question is whether the athabasca or the Britiannia will reach the distressed ship first if they travel at equal speeds. The solution involves drawing a diagram and finding the intersection point of the vectors representing the ships' positions.
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Homework Statement



A ship in distress sends up flares that are visible to two other ships. The athabasca notes that the flares are a N41 degrees E of its position. The Britiannia, which is 12.7 nautical miles due east of the athabasca sees the flares at a bearing of 310 degrees. will the athabasca or the britannia reach the ship in distress first if they travel at equal speeds. Where do I start.

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution

 
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  • #2
Start by drawing a picture!:smile:

I suggest putting the athabasca at the origin, letting North represent the positive y-direction and East, the positive x-direction.

Then label the position of the Britiannia and draw a vector pointing from the athabasca in the direction N 41 deg East and from the Britiannia at a bearing of 310 degrees. The point where those two vectors intersect is the location of the ship in distress. Find that location, then calculate which ship is closer.
 
  • #3
gabbagabbahey said:
Start by drawing a picture!:smile:

I suggest putting the athabasca at the origin, letting North represent the positive y-direction and East, the positive x-direction.

Then label the position of the Britiannia and draw a vector pointing from the athabasca in the direction N 41 deg East and from the Britiannia at a bearing of 310 degrees. The point where those two vectors intersect is the location of the ship in distress. Find that location, then calculate which ship is closer.

thank you for your help!
 

Related to Ships in Distress: Who Will Reach First?

1. What is "Ships in Distress: Who Will Reach First?"

"Ships in Distress: Who Will Reach First?" is a hypothetical scenario used in scientific experiments to study decision-making and problem-solving skills. It refers to a situation where multiple ships are in distress and a limited number of rescue vessels are available to reach them.

2. Why is "Ships in Distress: Who Will Reach First?" used in scientific experiments?

This scenario is used in scientific experiments because it allows researchers to study the decision-making process in a controlled environment. It also helps in understanding how individuals and groups prioritize and allocate resources in emergency situations.

3. What factors influence the decision-making process in "Ships in Distress: Who Will Reach First?"

The decision-making process in this scenario is influenced by various factors such as the distance of the ships from the rescue vessels, the severity of the distress, the number of people on board, the capabilities of the rescue vessels, and the communication and coordination between the ships and rescue vessels.

4. Can the results of "Ships in Distress: Who Will Reach First?" experiments be applied in real-life situations?

Yes, the results of these experiments can be applied in real-life situations to improve emergency response strategies and decision-making processes. They can also help in identifying potential flaws in current systems and developing better solutions for future emergencies.

5. What are some potential future applications of "Ships in Distress: Who Will Reach First?" experiments?

Future applications of these experiments could include developing AI algorithms for efficient resource allocation in emergency situations, training programs for emergency responders, and improving emergency protocols and procedures for different industries such as marine transportation and aviation.

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