Assume that the Grand Bahama Island lies at the origin of the coordinate systemshown in the diagram at below. Vector vec(A) represents the hurricane’s displacementat 44.5kmh and vector vec(B) represents its displacement after it shifts course threehours later and proceeds at a speed of 22.5kmh. Vector vec(R) represents thehurricane’s displacement after a total time of 4.15 h .(i)Vector vec(A) in the diagram has components to the west and to the north in thiscoordinate system while vector vec(B) has only a north component. During the firstthree hours after passing the island, the displacement of the hurricane isrepresented by vector vec(A), and the storm travels a distance that is the magnitude ofvec(A). This distance isA=v1Δt1=(,kmh)(,h)=,kmand the associated vector vec(A) is in a direction 60.0°north of west.

Answer
Vector Displacement of a Hurricane from Grand Bahama Island
By analyzing a hurricane’s path using vectors, we can estimate its final displacement from the origin (Grand Bahama Island). The motion is broken into two segments with known speeds, directions, and time durations.
🔹 Step 1: First Displacement Vector A
- Speed: 44.5 km/h
- Time: 3.00 h
- Direction: 60.0° north of west
Aₓ = –133.5 × cos(60°) = –66.75 km
Aᵧ = 133.5 × sin(60°) = 115.65 km
🔹 Step 2: Second Displacement Vector B
- Speed: 22.5 km/h
- Time: 1.15 h
- Direction: Due North
Bₓ = 0 km
Bᵧ = 25.875 km
🔹 Step 3: Resultant Displacement Vector R
Rᵧ = Aᵧ + Bᵧ = 115.65 + 25.875 = 141.525 km
R = √(Rₓ² + Rᵧ²) = √(66.75² + 141.525²) = 156.48 km
θ = tan⁻¹(Rᵧ / |Rₓ|) = tan⁻¹(141.525 / 66.75) = 64.79° north of west
📊 Summary Table
| Quantity | Value |
|---|---|
| Displacement A | 133.5 km |
| Aₓ | –66.75 km |
| Aᵧ | 115.65 km |
| Displacement B | 25.875 km |
| Bₓ | 0 km |
| Bᵧ | 25.875 km |
| Resultant Rₓ | –66.75 km |
| Resultant Rᵧ | 141.525 km |
| Resultant R | 156.48 km |
| Direction | 64.79° north of west |
✅ Conclusion
The hurricane’s total displacement from Grand Bahama Island is approximately 156.48 km at an angle of 64.79° north of west, calculated through vector addition using trigonometric methods.
