Calculating Horizontal Distance of a Dropped Package from a Flying Plane

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A package dropped from a plane flying horizontally at 281 m/s from a height of 3200 m requires calculating the horizontal distance to the impact point. The problem is approached by determining the time it takes for the package to fall to the ground using the acceleration due to gravity, which is 9.8 m/s². Once the time is calculated, it is used to find the horizontal displacement, treating the package's initial horizontal velocity as equal to that of the plane. The discussion highlights a common initial confusion regarding the nature of the problem, but ultimately, the solution involves standard projectile motion principles. The participant successfully solved the problem by applying these concepts.
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Package dropped from a plane!

A plane is flying horizontally with wpeed 281 m/s at a height 3200m about the ground. The acceleration of gravity is 9.8 m/s2. Neglecting air resistance, what is the horizontal distance from the release point to the impact point?

I'm not sure where to start ... these are different than projectile problems we've been looking at...
 
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knelson said:
A plane is flying horizontally with wpeed 281 m/s at a height 3200m about the ground. The acceleration of gravity is 9.8 m/s2. Neglecting air resistance, what is the horizontal distance from the release point to the impact point?

I'm not sure where to start ... these are different than projectile problems we've been looking at...

Oi! That package almost hit me! :frown:

Hi knelson! Welcome to PF! :biggrin:

The package will have the same velocity as the plane …

so this is just like a problem where the package is shot horizontally out of a gun at 281 m/s :smile:
 


Hi! Thanks for your quick relpy! As soon as I hit submit I actually figured out the problem! I just found the time it would take to his the ground and used that to plug it into the equation to find the displacement of x! I guess just thinking about it as I was typing helped, hehe. Thanks!
 
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