Vector Application: Relative velocity of drones
Observe the three drones in the animation below. Each drone is heading South with a speed of 6 m/sec. Each drone flies amidst a wind which blows at 3 m/sec.
Case a: The drone encounters a tailwind (from behind). The combined effect of the tailwind and the drone speed provide a resultant velocity of 9 m/sec.
Case b: The drone encounters a headwind (from the front). The combined effect of the headwind and the drone speed provide a resultant velocity of 3 m/sec.
Case c:, the drone encounters a crosswind (the wind is blowing Nort-East, a=45°). The combined effect of the wind and the drone speed provide a resultant velocity of 7.73 m/sec (directed at S 20.7° W).
These three resultant velocities can be determined using simple rules of vector addition.
How long will the fly take if the destination is 16.45 m South of the starting point?