Two vessels are steaming eastward with the same speed. Vessel A departed from position (53°16’N, 48°51’W), and Vessel B from position (22°43’N, 48°51’W). If they left their respective ports at the same time, which vessel will reach the prime meridian first? Explain briefly your answer.
Given that both vessels are steaming eastward with the same speed, the vessel that is closer to the prime meridian will reach it first.
The distance between the starting position of Vessel A (53°16’N, 48°51’W) and the prime meridian (0°) is 48°51’W.
The distance between the starting position of Vessel B (22°43’N, 48°51’W) and the prime meridian (0°) is also 48°51’W.
Since both vessels are starting at the same time and have the same speed, the vessel that started from a higher latitude (Vessel A) will travel a shorter distance to reach the prime meridian. Thus, Vessel A will reach the prime meridian first.
To determine which vessel will reach the prime meridian first, we need to calculate the distance between each vessel's starting position and the prime meridian.
Starting from Vessel A's position (53°16'N, 48°51'W), we can see that it is already east of the prime meridian by 48°51'W.
Now, let's calculate the distance between Vessel B's starting position (22°43'N, 48°51'W) and the prime meridian. We know that the prime meridian is located at 0° longitude. Vessel B is west of the prime meridian by 48°51'W.
Since both vessels are steaming eastward with the same speed, the vessel that is closer to the prime meridian will reach it first. In this case, Vessel B is closer to the prime meridian because it is starting from a position (48°51'W) that is west of the prime meridian (0°).
Therefore, Vessel B will reach the prime meridian first.