Physics Phail

Easy physics question, but I fail:

Q: A sparrow’s maximum air speed is 10m/s. She wants to fly to her nest 10m due north, but there is a wind blowing from W to E at 10m/s. What direction should she fly?

A: It can’t be done. Velocity will be northeast.


Seriously. Physics 1. I hate physics.  I liek math.

>>10
Its maximum air speed is 10m/s. If it were flying directly into the wind at maximum speed, it's speed relative the ground would be 0. Any deviation of its direction will decrease the component of its velocity parallel to the wind, and will therefore cause the bird to start moving towards the east.

Since the question is phrased purely in terms of speeds, acceleration is irrelevant.