Chapter 2.2, Problem 6SSC

To determine

The coordinate system that can be used to describe a girl’s motion across a rectangular pool.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction: In the study of the motion of any object, the coordinate system provides information regarding the origin point of the variable (say distance covered by object) and the direction in which the value of the variable increases. The origin point in a coordinate system refers to the point where the value of the variable is zero.

In the case of a girl swimming across the swimming pool, assume that the movement of the girl is along the length of the rectangular pool in a straight path.

The coordinate system should be fixed in such a way that the origin should lie on the shorter edge of the rectangular swimming pool.

The sketch of the coordinate system for the motion of the girl in the swimming pool is shown below:

  

Refer to the coordinate system:

The dot represents the swimming (displacement) of the girl.

The girl swims along the straight path along the longer edge of the swimming pool.