Motion of a projectile thrown from a plane

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a helicopter flying horizontally while a package is ejected backward from it. The scenario requires determining the horizontal distance between the package and the helicopter when the package reaches the ground, considering the initial speeds and altitude.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the need to find the time of descent and the horizontal distances traveled by both the helicopter and the package. There are questions about the correct approach to calculating these distances, particularly regarding the relative speeds of the helicopter and the package.

Discussion Status

Some participants have offered calculations and reasoning regarding the time to reach the ground and the relative speeds involved. There is a recognition of miscalculations and misunderstandings about how to combine the distances traveled by the helicopter and the package. Multiple interpretations of the problem are being explored, particularly concerning the effects of the package's backward ejection speed.

Contextual Notes

There is some confusion regarding the reference frame from which the speeds should be measured, as well as the implications of the package's speed relative to the helicopter and the ground. Participants are questioning the assumptions made in their calculations and the setup of the problem.

drewbie55
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Homework Statement


A helicopter is flying horizontally at 8.5 m/s and an altitude of 18 m when a package of emergency medical supplies is ejected horizontally backward with a speed of 10 m/s relative to the helicopter. Ignoring air resistance, what is the horizontal distance between the package and the helicopter when the package hits the ground?


Homework Equations


Not quite sure.


The Attempt at a Solution


None. I'm thinking I have to find time first but I'm not sure how to do that either.
 
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To find time, it would be T=sqrt(2h/g) right. I did that then did d=vt for both the helicopter and the package thrown and added them together but still didn't get the right answer.

Any suggestions?
 
Why did you add them? The package is ejected backwards. (The easy way is to find and use the horizontal speed of the package with respect to the ground.)
 
Sounds right. I get t=1.9sec to reach ground
Package is moving backward at (10-8.5) m/s the helicopter is moving forward at 8.5 m/s
so total distance is (8.5+10-8.5)*1.9 = 19m

You can simply pick the helicopter as the frame of reference, then it is just thrown out at 10m/s for 1.9s
 
I added the two distances because I thought that would give the total distance.
 
Thanks. I see what I did wrong and why I wasn't getting the right answer.
 
drewbie55 said:
I added the two distances because I thought that would give the total distance.
What if the package were ejected at a speed of 8.5 m/s backwards with respect to the plane? What would the net horizontal distance traveled be then?
 
As I said, it's a bit of tricky question ( or a good intro to relativity)
Because it is thrown backward tou have to subtract the forward speed of the helicopter but if you are measuring from the groudn you then add the speed of the helicopter back in - they cancel. Consider viewing it from the helicopter (or imagine the helicopter is hovering) then it is just thrown backward with 10m/s.
 
mgb_phys said:
Package is moving backward at (10-8.5) m/s the helicopter is moving forward at 8.5 m/s
so total distance is (8.5+10-8.5)*1.9 = 19m
You are miscalculating the speed. The package is moving at -10 m/s relative to the plane; the plane is moving at +8.5 m/s relative to the ground. The speed of the package relative to the ground is -10 +8.5 = -1.5 m/s backwards.
 
  • #10
Yes but the helicopter is still moving 8.5m/s forward (relative to ground) after the drop so the separation on the ground is increasing at 10m/s
 
  • #11
mgb_phys said:
Yes but the helicopter is still moving 8.5m/s forward (relative to ground) after the drop so the separation on the ground is increasing at 10m/s
D'oh! I misread the question. :redface: Sorry about that! You are absolutely correct.
 

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