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AP Physics 1
1.5 Vectors and Motion in Two Dimensions
1.4 Reference Frames and Relative Motion
AdvancedMCQMathematicalProportional Analysis18k
Comparison of steering strategies for a boat crossing a moving river.
Comparison of steering strategies for a boat crossing a moving river.
A boat with a constant speed \(v_0\) relative to the water is used to cross a river of width \(W\) that flows with a constant speed \(v_r\) relative to the ground, where \(v_0 > v_r\). In Trial 1, the boat is steered such that its heading is always perpendicular to the riverbanks. In Trial 2, the boat is steered at an angle upstream such that it travels in a straight line relative to the ground to a point on the opposite bank directly across from its starting position. If \(t_1\) is the time taken to cross the river in Trial 1 and \(t_2\) is the time taken in Trial 2, what is the ratio \(\dfrac{t_2}{t_1}\)?

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