Analyzing the Time Needed for an Airplane Roundtrip in Windy Conditions

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around analyzing the time required for an airplane to complete a roundtrip in windy conditions, focusing on the effects of wind on the airplane's trajectory and velocity. The problem involves concepts from kinematics and relative motion.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the relationship between the airplane's velocity, wind effects, and the time taken for the roundtrip. Questions arise regarding the correct interpretation of the problem setup and the calculations involved, particularly concerning the velocity components and the impact of wind on the trajectory.

Discussion Status

Some participants are clarifying their understanding of the problem, while others are questioning the assumptions made about the airplane's direction and the effects of wind. There is an ongoing exploration of different interpretations of the velocity vectors involved in the roundtrip calculation.

Contextual Notes

Participants note potential misunderstandings regarding the direction of the airplane's velocity relative to the wind and the ground. There is mention of a specific document that may provide additional context for the problem, and some calculations are presented that differ from the original problem statement.

agnimusayoti
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Homework Statement
an airplane is supposed to travel from A in a direction due north to B and then return to A. The distance between and B is L. The air speed of the plane is ##v## and the wind velocity is ##v'##. Show that the time for the round trip when the wind is directed due east (or west) is
$$t_{b}=\frac{t_{a}}{\sqrt{1-\frac{v'^{2}}{v^2}}}$$
where ##t_{a}## is half of the roundtrip's time in still air.
Relevant Equations
Vector additon
Because of the wind, airplane was shifted to the east. Assume airplane is shifted D units long from B.
When airplane turnaround, the wind shifted airplane to the east again as far D and to the south as far as L to the A'.
Therefore,
$$2D = (v - v') t_{AA'}$$
But,
$$D = v'(t_{a}/2)$$
Thus,
$$v't_{a} = (v- v') (t_{AA'} $$.
From this relationship, I got
$$t_{AA'} = \frac{v'}{v - v'} t_{a}$$.

Time that needed for roundtrip: A to B', B' to A' and A' to A:
$$t_b = (1 + \frac{v'}{v-v'}) t_{a}$$
$$t_b = (\frac{v}{v-v'}) t_{a}$$

My answer is different from the problem at the denominator. In my answer, (v - v'), but in the problem:: ##\sqrt{v^2 - v'^2}##.

Am I right? Or I made a mistake? Thanks!
 
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I believe the airplane must return to A rather than A’.
In that case, you have one triangle of velocity vectors respect to ground while moving North and another while moving South.
 
Yes. From A to B' to A' then to A right?
 
Ohh I see. I misunderstood the problem and think that v is directed to North, but the wind deviate its trajectory..
Hence, airplane must directed with angle ##\theta## from x neg in order to go to the North if the wind is due East.
From my calculation,
$${v}_{airplane,ground} \hat{j}=(v' - v \cos{\theta}) {\hat{i}} + v sin \theta (\hat{j})$$
Therefore,
$$cos \theta = \frac{v'}{v}$$
And,
$$v_{airplane,ground} = v\sqrt{1-\frac{v'^2}{v^2}}$$
With this velocity I can get the roundtrip time exactly same with the Prob.
Thanks Lnewqban!
 
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