# Angular Momentum of an airplane

1. Feb 24, 2006

### lunarskull

An airplane of mass 12000kg flies level to the ground at an altitude of 10. km with a constant speed of 175 m/s relative to the earth. (a) what is the magnitude of the airplane's angular momentum relative to a ground observer directly below the airplane? (b) Does this value change as the airplane continues its motion along a straight line?

desperate....was out with the flu now im lost
so L= r X Mv....
L=r??X (12000)(175)
r=10??
so 10X(12000)(175)
21000000. this doesnt look correct...

Last edited: Feb 24, 2006
2. Feb 24, 2006

### Hootenanny

Staff Emeritus
What equations do you know that relate linear velocity with angluar momentum (assuming the earth is spherical)

3. Feb 24, 2006

### lunarskull

just edited first post. i guess maybe
I=(2/5)Mr^2 might come in handy?

4. Feb 24, 2006

### Hootenanny

Staff Emeritus
$L = Mvr$ would be easier to use with regards to the plane, where $r$ is the radius of orbit and v is linear velocity.

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