Conservation of linear momentum and acceleration due to gravity.

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving the conservation of linear momentum and the effects of gravity on a pilot when a package is dropped from an aircraft. The scenario involves a large aircraft dropping a smaller package and questions the force experienced by the pilot at the moment of release.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the forces acting on the pilot, including gravity and the effects of the aircraft's thrust at the moment of package release. There are attempts to quantify the forces and clarify the assumptions regarding the aircraft's motion and the pilot's experience.

Discussion Status

The discussion includes various interpretations of the forces acting on the pilot, with some participants questioning the initial assumptions about the aircraft's mass and the resulting calculations. There is a recognition that the pilot feels gravity, and some participants suggest that the question may be focused on the additional force experienced upon the package's release.

Contextual Notes

There is a discrepancy in the mass of the aircraft mentioned, which may affect the calculations. Participants are also considering the horizontal flight path of the aircraft and how it influences the forces felt by the pilot.

vkash
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Homework Statement



A 1000,000 Kg aircraft drops a 1000 Kg packages of supplies over the surface of the earth. what approximate force felt by 100 Kg pilot at the instant of release.
(a) 1N
(b) 0.1N
(c) 10N
(d) zero

Homework Equations



anything you can think of.

The Attempt at a Solution



In starting aircraft is flying with constant speed. There is a constant downward force(mg) and a constant upward force by wings of plane applied. At the moment the package is dropped, Required force to maintain that height is decreased(since considerable mass decrease) but engines are still applying same amount of thrust so it will little move in upward direction. This extra force should equal to 1,000*9.8(weight of package). instantaneous acceleration of plane in upward direction is ~0.01. so upward force on the pilot will 100*0.01=1. That's what i think.
Where am i wrong?
 
Last edited:
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Doesn't the pilot feel gravity?

ehild
 
ehild said:
Doesn't the pilot feel gravity?

ehild

yes.
So it should sum up to g+1 m/s2.
 
An aircraft usually does not fly vertically upwards. We can assume that it flies horizontally. The upward force acting on the wings is about proportional to square of the speed. There is acceleration in the horizontal direction, but the speed is the same just after releasing the package than before.

ehild
 
ehild said:
An aircraft usually does not fly vertically upwards. We can assume that it flies horizontally. The upward force acting on the wings is about proportional to square of the speed. There is acceleration in the horizontal direction, but the speed is the same just after releasing the package than before.[/color]

ehild
How?
 
vkash said:

Homework Statement



A 1000,000 Kg aircraft drops a 1000 Kg packages of supplies over the surface of the earth. what approximate force felt by 100 Kg pilot at the instant of release.
(a) 1N
(b) 0.1N
(c) 10N
(d) zero

Homework Equations



anything you can think of.

The Attempt at a Solution



In starting aircraft is flying with constant speed. There is a constant downward force(mg) and a constant upward force by wings of plane applied. At the moment the package is dropped, Required force to maintain that height is decreased(since considerable mass decrease) but engines are still applying same amount of thrust so it will little move in upward direction. This extra force should equal to 1,000*9.8(weight of package). instantaneous acceleration of plane in upward direction is ~0.01. so upward force on the pilot will 100*0.01=1. That's what i think.
Where am i wrong?

Just checking ... you gave the plane mass as 1000,000 kg. Did you mean 1,000,000 kg or should it have been 100,000 kg.
That would result in about 10N, using your initial reasoning, which I liked.
 
PeterO said:
Just checking ... you gave the plane mass as 1000,000 kg. Did you mean 1,000,000 kg or should it have been 100,000 kg.
That would result in about 10N, using your initial reasoning, which I liked.
Oh sorry; mass of aircraft is 100,000 Kg.
How it is. it should g+1=10.8.
 
Last edited:
vkash said:
Oh sorry; mass of aircraft is 100,000 Kg.

In this case, you get a magnitude higher acceleration and force.
Although the pilot always feels gravity, I think the question refers to the extra force the pilot notices when the package is released.

ehild
 

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