Meriam, Kraige & Bolton — Kinematics of Particles: Problem 2_129

2/129 A meteor \(P\) is tracked by a radar observatory on the earth at \(O\). When the meteor is directly overhead (\(\theta = 90^\circ\)), the following observations are recorded: \(r = 80 \text{ km}\), \(\dot{r} = -20 \text{ km/s}\), and \(\dot{\theta} = 0.4 \text{ rad/s}\). (a) Determine the speed \(v\) of the meteor and the angle \(\beta\) which its velocity vector makes with the horizontal. Neglect any effects due to the earth’s rotation. (b) Repeat with all given quantities remaining the same, except that \(\theta = 75^\circ\).