Calculating the Relative Velocity of a Kayaker

What is the relative velocity of the kayaker with respect to the current when he paddles directly downstream?

Answer:

The relative velocity of the kayaker with respect to the current when paddling directly downstream is 2.6 m/s.

When calculating the relative velocity of the kayaker with respect to the current when paddling directly downstream, we need to consider the vector addition of velocities.

Given information:

  • Absolute speed of the kayaker, v_kayaker = 2 m/s
  • Speed of the current, v_current = 0.6 m/s

When paddling directly downstream, the kayaker is moving in the same direction as the current. Therefore, we need to add the speed of the current to the absolute speed of the kayaker to find the relative velocity.

Relative velocity = Absolute speed of the kayaker + Speed of the current

Relative velocity = v_kayaker + v_current

                = 2 m/s + 0.6 m/s

                = 2.6 m/s

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