1991 Paper 2 Q14

Year: 1991
Paper: 2
Question Number: 14

Course: UFM Mechanics
Section: Variable Force

Difficulty: 1600.0 Banger: 1500.0

Problem

The current in a straight river of constant width \(h\) flows at uniform speed \(\alpha v\) parallel to the river banks, where \(0<\alpha<1\). A boat has to cross from a point \(A\) on one bank to a point \(B\) on the other bank directly opposite to \(A\). The boat moves at constant speed \(v\) relative to the water. When the position of the boat is \((x,y)\), where \(x\) is the perpendicular distance from the opposite bank and \(y\) is the distance downstream from \(AB\), the boat is pointing in a direction which makes an angle \(\theta\) with \(AB\). Determine the velocity vector of the boat in terms of \(v,\theta\) and \(\alpha.\) The pilot of the boat steers in such a way that the boat always points exactly towards \(B\). Show that the velocity vector of the boat is \[ \begin{pmatrix}\dfrac{\mathrm{d}x}{\mathrm{d}t}\\ \tan\theta\dfrac{\mathrm{d}x}{\mathrm{d}t}+x\sec^{2}\theta\dfrac{\mathrm{d}\theta}{\mathrm{d}t} \end{pmatrix}. \] By comparing this with your previous expression deduce that \[ \alpha\frac{\mathrm{d}x}{\mathrm{d}\theta}=-x\sec\theta \] and hence show that \[ (x/h)^{\alpha}=(\sec\theta+\tan\theta)^{-1}. \] Let \(s(t)\) be a new variable defined by \(\tan\theta=\sinh(\alpha s).\) Show that \(x=h\mathrm{e}^{-s},\) and that \[ h\mathrm{e}^{-s}\cosh(\alpha s)\frac{\mathrm{d}s}{\mathrm{d}t}=v. \] Hence show that the time of crossing is \(hv^{-1}(1-\alpha^{2})^{-1}.\)

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Difficulty Rating: 1600.0

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Problem source
The current in a straight river of constant width $h$ flows at uniform
	speed $\alpha v$ parallel to the river banks, where $0<\alpha<1$.
	A boat has to cross from a point $A$ on one bank to a point $B$
	on the other bank directly opposite to $A$. The boat moves at constant
	speed $v$ relative to the water. When the position of the boat is
	$(x,y)$, where $x$ is the perpendicular distance from the opposite
	bank and $y$ is the distance downstream from $AB$, the boat is pointing
	in a direction which makes an angle $\theta$ with $AB$. Determine
	the velocity vector of the boat in terms of $v,\theta$ and $\alpha.$

	The pilot of the boat steers in such a way that the boat always points
	exactly towards $B$. Show that the velocity vector of the boat is
	\[
	\begin{pmatrix}\dfrac{\mathrm{d}x}{\mathrm{d}t}\\
	\tan\theta\dfrac{\mathrm{d}x}{\mathrm{d}t}+x\sec^{2}\theta\dfrac{\mathrm{d}\theta}{\mathrm{d}t}
	\end{pmatrix}.
	\]
	By comparing this with your previous expression deduce that 
	\[
	\alpha\frac{\mathrm{d}x}{\mathrm{d}\theta}=-x\sec\theta
	\]
	and hence show that
	\[
	(x/h)^{\alpha}=(\sec\theta+\tan\theta)^{-1}.
	\]
	Let $s(t)$ be a new variable defined by $\tan\theta=\sinh(\alpha s).$
	Show that $x=h\mathrm{e}^{-s},$ and that 
	\[
	h\mathrm{e}^{-s}\cosh(\alpha s)\frac{\mathrm{d}s}{\mathrm{d}t}=v.
	\]
	Hence show that the time of crossing is $hv^{-1}(1-\alpha^{2})^{-1}.$