What is the angular velocity of an aircraft passing overhead at 900 km/h?

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To calculate the angular velocity of an aircraft flying overhead at 900 km/h and 10,000 m altitude, the approach involves determining the angle alpha formed between the vertical and the line of sight to the aircraft. The angle can be expressed as alpha = arctan(900t/10000), where t is time in seconds. The angular velocity is derived as the time derivative of this angle. It is crucial to convert the aircraft's speed to meters per second for accurate calculations. The discussion emphasizes the need for careful unit management and the correct application of derivatives to find the angular velocity at different time intervals.
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Homework Statement


An aircraft passes directly over you with a speed of 900 km/h at an altitude of 10,000 m. What is the angular velocity of the aircraft (relative to you) when directly overhead? Three minutes later?

Homework Equations


Where were studying center of mass and Moment of inertia.

The Attempt at a Solution


No idea, how to approach this question, Aircraft is flying straight, will there even by any angular velocity?
 
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Draw a straight line from your eye to the aircraft. It changes direction as the aircraft flies over you, does not it? The line encloses an angle alpha with the vertical. Find the expression for this angle in terms of time. The angular velocity is the time derivative of the angle.

ehild
 
ehild said:
Draw a straight line from your eye to the aircraft. It changes direction as the aircraft flies over you, does not it? The line encloses an angle alpha with the vertical. Find the expression for this angle in terms of time. The angular velocity is the time derivative of the angle.

ehild

Speed = 900km/hour
tan(α)=900t/10000
α=arctan(900t/10000)

Derivative is 900/(10000+81 t^2)
If i put t = 0 and t = 3/60, will i get the correct answer? I don't think so, Help me.
 
Last edited:
Do not mix units. Convert the speed of the aircraft to m/s.

ehild
 

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