A cargo plane flies horizontally at a constant speed of at an altitude of above level…
PHYSICS · Multi-part · A Level · Physics · Mechanics and materials · Mechanics and materials
Problem
A cargo plane flies horizontally at a constant speed of 150m/s at an altitude of 500m above level ground. When the plane is directly over a point that will later serve as the target, the crew releases a supply package. Air resistance is negligible.
(1) Part 1: (a) Calculate the horizontal distance from the release point to the target where the package lands.
(2) Part 2: (b) Just before impact, determine the horizontal and vertical components of the package’s velocity relative to the plane.
(3) Part 3: (c) Re-analyze the drop in a frame that moves with the plane. In that frame, treat the package’s initial horizontal speed as zero and calculate (i) the time of fall and (ii) the magnitude of the package’s velocity just before impact. Show that the results are consistent with part (b).
(4) Part 4: (d) Explain why the acceleration of the package has the same magnitude and direction in both frames, and discuss which frame offers computational advantages for solving similar problems.