Find Angle (theta) Given Displacement & Aircraft Velocity

  • Thread starter integra2k20
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In summary, a dive bomber with a velocity of 275 m/s at an angle (theta) below the horizontal releases a bomb at an altitude of 2.15 km and hits a target on the ground with a displacement of 3.45 km. The angle (theta) can be calculated by determining the time it takes for the bomb to reach the ground, ignoring the horizontal portion of the velocity. This angle can be calculated to be either 2.3 degrees or 78 degrees, depending on the method used.
  • #1
integra2k20
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A dive bomber has a velocity of 275 m/s at an angle (theta) below the horizontal. When the altitude of the aircraft is 2.15 km, it releases a bomb, which subsequently hits a target on the ground. The magnitude of the displacement from the point of release of the bomb to the target is 3.45 km. Find the angle (theta).

OK, I'm not seeing a way to solve this without being given the time (t) it took for it to hit the ground, am i missing something here?
 
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  • #2
You know the time. If it is released from 2.15 km, and it is subject to g, simply figure out how long it takes to reach the ground. Ignore the horizontal portion for now.
 
  • #3
civil_dude said:
You know the time. If it is released from 2.15 km, and it is subject to g, simply figure out how long it takes to reach the ground. Ignore the horizontal portion for now.

but the plane's velocity isn't horizontal...therefore, the time to reach the ground can't be solved...
 
  • #4
i asked my teacher about this today, he couldn't figure it out either...
 
  • #5
2.3 degrees or 78 degrees?
like civil said,it can be calculated..just check again.
 

1. What is "Find Angle (theta) Given Displacement & Aircraft Velocity"?

"Find Angle (theta) Given Displacement & Aircraft Velocity" is a mathematical problem that involves finding the angle (represented by theta) between an aircraft's displacement and its velocity. It is commonly used in aviation and navigation to determine the direction of an aircraft's flight.

2. How is "theta" calculated in this problem?

In this problem, "theta" is calculated using the inverse tangent function (tan-1). The formula is theta = tan-1(displacement/velocity).

3. What are the units of measurement for displacement and velocity in this problem?

Displacement is typically measured in meters (m) or kilometers (km), while velocity is measured in meters per second (m/s) or kilometers per hour (km/h). However, the units should be consistent for accurate calculations.

4. Can this problem be solved without knowing the displacement or velocity?

No, both the displacement and velocity are necessary in order to find the angle (theta). Without one of these values, the problem cannot be solved.

5. Are there any other factors that can affect the accuracy of the solution?

Yes, there are several factors that can affect the accuracy of the solution, such as the accuracy of the measurements for displacement and velocity, the presence of wind or other weather conditions, and the precision of the calculation method used.

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