A radar antenna is tracking a satellite orbiting the earth. At a certain time, the radar screen shows the satellite to be 159km away. The radar antenna is pointing upward at an angle of 59.3 from the ground.Fine the x and y components(in km) of the position of the satellite

Question

First of all this is not a relative velocity problem -- it is a vector problem.

We'll start by calling the 159km distance R. Since we know the angle of R is 59.3 degrees above the x-axis and R's magnitude is 159 we can solve for the components. Look in your text or notes. To solve for the x component you need to know the equation the x component of R = R*cos(theta) -- or Rx = 159*cos(59.3)

Solving for y is similar. Ry = R*sin(theta) or Ry = 159*sin(59.3)