Air Resistance on Fire Helicopter's 625kg Water Bucket

[yj-k91]

A fire helicopter carries a 625 kg empty water bucket at the end of a cable 18.3 m long. As the aircraft flies back from a fire at a constant speed of 35.4 m/s, the cable makes an angle of 36.3° with respect to the vertical. Calculate the force of air resistance on the bucket.

 

[berkeman]

A fire helicopter carries a 625 kg empty water bucket at the end of a cable 18.3 m long. As the aircraft flies back from a fire at a constant speed of 35.4 m/s, the cable makes an angle of 36.3° with respect to the vertical. Calculate the force of air resistance on the bucket.

Welcome to the PF. You must show us the relevant equations and your attempt at a solution before we can offer you tutorial help. Show us your free body diagram of the bucket...

 

[tomcue]

I would first acknowledge that air resistance is a complex phenomenon that is influenced by various factors such as the shape and size of the object, the density and viscosity of the air, and the speed and direction of the object's motion. In this scenario, the air resistance on the fire helicopter's water bucket would depend on the aforementioned factors.

To accurately calculate the force of air resistance on the bucket, we would need more information such as the shape and size of the bucket, the density and viscosity of the air at the given altitude, and the specific aerodynamic properties of the helicopter. Without this information, it is difficult to provide an exact value for the force of air resistance.

However, we can make some general observations and assumptions based on the given information. The fact that the helicopter is flying at a constant speed and the cable is making an angle with respect to the vertical suggests that the bucket is experiencing some air resistance. This resistance would be influenced by the shape and size of the bucket, as well as the density and viscosity of the air at the given altitude.

In addition, the force of air resistance would also depend on the speed of the helicopter, as the faster the helicopter moves, the greater the air resistance. The angle of the cable would also play a role, as it affects the direction and magnitude of the air resistance force.

In conclusion, while the given information is not sufficient to accurately calculate the force of air resistance on the fire helicopter's water bucket, we can infer that it would be influenced by various factors and would require further data and analysis for a precise determination.