Kinematics airplane problem

In summary, the conversation discusses an airplane climbing at a given speed and angle, and the release of a package at a certain altitude. The question asks for the distance the package will travel along the ground and the angle of its velocity just before impact. The answer for part A is 1380 meters, but there is confusion about part B, which should be 66 degrees below the ground. It is suggested to use the inverse tangent function to find this angle.
  • #1
jehan4141
91
0
An airplane with a speed of 97.5 m/s is climbing upward at an angle of 50.0° with respect to the horizontal. When the plane's altitude is 732 m, the pilot releases a package.

(a)
Calculate the distance along the ground, measured from a point directly beneath the point of release, to where the package hits the earth.

(b)
Relative to the ground, determine the angle of the velocity vector of the package just before impact.



I got part A. The answer is ~1380 meters. However, I do no understand Part B. The answer should be 66 degrees below the ground, but I do not see how.

My Thoughts
The path of the dropped package is symmetrical. Thus, with respect to the +x axis, shouldn't the direction equal 130 degrees?
 
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  • #2
You know the planes x velocity is 97.5(cos50) therefore this will be the packages x velocity (ignoring air resistance). You can find the y velocity because you know the height at which the package is dropped. Use these two velocities as the sides of a right triangle and using the inverse tangent function, find that angle. This will be your answer.
 

1. What is kinematics in relation to an airplane problem?

Kinematics is the branch of physics that studies the motion of objects without considering the forces that cause the motion. In an airplane problem, kinematics is used to analyze the motion of the airplane and understand its position, velocity, and acceleration at different points in time.

2. How is kinematics used to solve airplane problems?

Kinematics can be used to solve airplane problems by applying the equations of motion, such as the equations for displacement, velocity, and acceleration, to calculate the airplane's position and motion at different points in time. These equations can also be used to analyze the effects of external forces, such as air resistance and gravity, on the airplane's motion.

3. What are the key variables in a kinematics airplane problem?

The key variables in a kinematics airplane problem are displacement, velocity, and acceleration. Displacement refers to the change in position of the airplane, velocity is the rate of change of displacement, and acceleration is the rate of change of velocity. These variables are used to describe the motion of the airplane and can be calculated using the appropriate equations.

4. How does the angle of the airplane's flight affect its kinematics?

The angle of the airplane's flight, also known as its pitch, affects its kinematics by changing the direction of its velocity and acceleration vectors. When the airplane's pitch changes, the direction of its velocity will also change, and its acceleration may increase or decrease depending on the direction of the change in pitch. This can impact the airplane's overall motion and trajectory.

5. What are some common kinematics equations used to solve airplane problems?

Some common kinematics equations used to solve airplane problems include the equations for displacement (Δx = v0t + ½at2), velocity (v = v0 + at), and acceleration (a = (v-v0)/t). These equations can also be used in combination to solve for other variables, such as time or initial velocity, depending on the given information in the problem.

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