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Swimmer in a River: RELATIVE AND ABSOLUTE MOTION NUMERICAL PROBLEMS

A swimmer is crossing a river that flows at 2 m/s. The swimmer's speed relative to the water is 4 m/s. Determine the swimmer's speed relative to the riverbank (absolute motion) when swimming directly downstream.…

RELATIVE AND ABSOLUTE MOTION NUMERICAL PROBLEMS

QUESTION:

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A swimmer is crossing a river that flows at 2 m/s. The swimmer's speed relative to the water is 4 m/s.

1. Determine the swimmer's speed relative to the riverbank (absolute motion) when swimming directly downstream.
2. Determine the swimmer's speed relative to the riverbank when swimming directly upstream.


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Solution:

1. Downstream Motion: \( v_{s/r} = v_{s/w} + v_{r} = 4 + 2 = 6 \, \text{m/s} \)

2. Upstream Motion: \( v_{s/r} = v_{s/w} - v_{r} = 4 - 2 = 2 \, \text{m/s} \)