How Does Package Dropping Dynamics Work for Airborne Deliveries?

  • Thread starter Thread starter 05holtel
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Air
AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on the dynamics of package dropping from an airplane delivering supplies to a small island. The initial calculations indicate that it takes approximately 13.1 seconds for the package to reach sea level from an altitude of 850 meters. To ensure the package lands on the island, it must be released at a horizontal distance of about 1710 meters from the point directly above the island. The final speed of the package upon impact is debated, with confusion surrounding the conversion of gravitational acceleration from meters per second squared to miles per second squared. The correct approach involves calculating the vertical velocity at impact while maintaining the horizontal speed of 290 mph.
05holtel
Messages
52
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement




A relief airplane is delivering a food package to a group of people stranded on a very small island. The island is too small for the plane to land on, and the only way to deliver the package is by dropping it. The airplane flies horizontally with constant speed of 290 mph at an altitude of 850 m. For all parts, assume that the "island" refers to the point at a distance D from the point at which the package is released, as shown in the figure. Ignore the height of this point above sea level. Assume that the acceleration due to gravity is g = 9.80 m/s^2.

a) After a package is ejected from the plane, how long will it take for it to reach sea level from the time it is ejected? Assume that the package, like the plane, has an initial velocity of 290 mph in the horizontal direction.

b)If the package is to land right on the island, at what horizontal distance D from the plane to the island should the package be released?

c)What is the speed v_f of the package when it hits the ground in mph
Equations

x1=x0 + v0x(t1-t0)
y1= y0 + v0y(t1-t0) -0.5(g)(t1-t0)^2

The Attempt at a Solution



a)13.1s
b)1710m
c) I am not sure how to do c. At first i thought speed would be 0 when it hits the ground, but i am told that is incorrect
 
Physics news on Phys.org
05holtel said:
The airplane flies horizontally with constant speed of 290 mph at an altitude of 850 m. For all parts, assume that the "island" refers to the point at a distance D from the point at which the package is released, as shown in the figure. Ignore the height of this point above sea level. Assume that the acceleration due to gravity is g = 9.80 m/s^2.

c)What is the speed v_f of the package when it hits the ground in mph
Equations

I am not sure how to do c. At first i thought speed would be 0 when it hits the ground, but i am told that is incorrect

Hi 05holtel! :smile:

Hint: vf² = vhorizontal² + vvertical²
 
vf² = vhorizontal² + vvertical²

Does that mean
Vf^2 = 290mph^2 +0mph^2
Vf = Square root of (290^2)
Vf=290mph
 
05holtel said:
vf² = vhorizontal² + vvertical²

Does that mean
Vf^2 = 290mph^2 +0mph^2
Vf = Square root of (290^2)
Vf=290mph

erm … vvertical = 0 when it leaves the plane.

use the usual formula to find vvertical 13.1s later. :smile:
 
So does that mean:
Vfy=Viy-g(Delta t)
Vfy=0-4.38(13.1) ***9.8m/s = 4.38mph
Vfy=751.65mph

Vfx=0mph

Therefore, Vf = 751.65
Is that right?
 
05holtel said:
So does that mean:
Vfy=Viy-g(Delta t)
Vfy=0-4.38(13.1) ***9.8m/s = 4.38mph
Vfy=751.65mph

Vfx=0mph

Therefore, Vf = 751.65
Is that right?

No, Vfx= 290mph.

Vfy=Viy-g(∆t) is right.

But your g is wrong.

g is not 9.8m/s … it's 9.8m/s² … you need to convert it to miles/s².
 
So does that mean:

9.8m/s^2 = 0.006 089 mile/s^2

Vfy=290mph-0.006089mile/s^2(13.1s)
Vfy=290mph-0.7976m/s
Vfy=290mph-1.178mph
=288.8mph
 
05holtel said:
So does that mean:

9.8m/s^2 = 0.006 089 mile/s^2

Yes. :smile:
Vfy=290mph-0.006089mile/s^2(13.1s)
Vfy=290mph-0.7976m/s
Vfy=290mph-1.178mph
=288.8mph

i] 290 is Vfx.

ii] it's 0.07976m/s

iii] where did 1.178 come from? :confused:
 
OOPs


Vfy=290mph-0.006089mile/s^2(13.1s)
Vfy=290mph-0.7976mile/s
Vfy=290mph-2871.36mph
=?

That doesn't make any sense. Am I converting it wrong
 
Back
Top