A swimmer, capable of swimming at a speed of 1.2 m/s in still water (i.e., the s
ID: 1738305 • Letter: A
Question
A swimmer, capable of swimming at a speed of 1.2 m/s in still water (i.e., the swimmer can swimwith a speed of 1.2 m/s relative tothe water), starts to swim directly across a 2.5 km wide river. However, the current is 0.91m/s, and it carries the swimmer downstream. (a) How long does it take the swimmer to crossthe river?(b) How far downstream will the swimmer be upon reaching the otherside of the river?
(a) How long does it take the swimmer to crossthe river?
(b) How far downstream will the swimmer be upon reaching the otherside of the river?
Explanation / Answer
the current of the water does not affect the swimmer if he keepsswimming straight across. so it takes the swimmer: (2500m)/(1.2m/s)=2083 seconds in this time, the current has carried him 2083*.91=1896 metersdownstream