How Does Package Dropping Dynamics Work for Airborne Deliveries?

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves the dynamics of a package being dropped from an airplane at a constant speed and altitude, specifically focusing on the time it takes to reach the ground, the horizontal distance for the drop, and the final speed upon impact. The subject area includes kinematics and projectile motion.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the time it takes for the package to reach the ground and the horizontal distance required for a successful drop. There is a focus on calculating the final speed of the package upon impact, with some participants questioning the assumptions about vertical speed and the effects of gravity.

Discussion Status

Participants are exploring various calculations related to the final speed of the package, with some providing hints and corrections regarding the use of gravitational acceleration and unit conversions. There is an ongoing dialogue about the correct interpretation of the equations and the values used in calculations, indicating a productive exchange of ideas.

Contextual Notes

There is a noted confusion regarding the conversion of gravitational acceleration from metric to imperial units, as well as the initial conditions of the package's motion. Participants are also addressing the implications of horizontal and vertical velocity components in their calculations.

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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
 
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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
 

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