No. If there is no air resistance, the horizontal velocity of the object stays fixed at the velocity of the plane.Gaboon said:Hi all,
I have a very simple question. Will an object dropped from a plane moving at a constant velocity ever achieve purely vertical motion? (Make sure we're not taking air resistance into account)
Thanks
I don't understand the question. The object follows a projectile trajectory. Are you familiar with the equations of projectile motion with constant acceleration (gravity) and with the simplifying assumption of no air resistance?Gaboon said:How about direction?
No, it can't. The horizontal velocity never decreases, so the object will never fall vertically. The vertical speed keeps increasing when there is no air resistance, so the vertical angle gets smaller and smaller, but it never goes to zero.Gaboon said:Yes. Does that trajectory ever lead to object falling at 90 degrees to earth?
Gaboon said:Yes. Does that trajectory ever lead to object falling at 90 degrees to earth?
Gaboon said:Ok thanks for feedback. Though I would love to know why the vertical angle never reaches zero.
You'll recognize that if there is always horizontal motion, the angle can't be zero, right? Or are you unclear about why the horizontal speed is fixed? That's due to Newton's first Law.Gaboon said:Ok thanks for feedback. Though I would love to know why the vertical angle never reaches zero.
The main factors that affect the speed of a falling object are air resistance and gravity. The shape, weight, and surface area of the object can also play a role in its rate of descent.
The height from which an object is dropped has a direct impact on its fall. As the object falls, it gains speed due to the force of gravity. The higher the starting point, the longer the object has to gain speed and the faster it will fall.
No, the mass of an object does not affect its fall from a plane. All objects, regardless of their mass, will fall at the same rate due to the force of gravity. This is known as the principle of equivalence, which was first discovered by Galileo.
Terminal velocity is the maximum speed an object can reach while falling. For an object dropped from a plane, this speed is typically around 120 mph, depending on the object's shape, weight, and surface area. Once the object reaches terminal velocity, it will no longer accelerate and will fall at a constant speed.
It is possible for an object to survive a fall from a plane, depending on the height and the object's characteristics. Objects with a larger surface area, such as a parachute, can significantly slow down their descent and increase the chances of survival. However, most objects that are not specifically designed to withstand high falls will sustain damage or break upon impact.