Plane drops packages confounded again

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a supply plane dropping a package from a height of 108 m while traveling at a speed of 175 m/s. The questions focus on determining how far short of the target the package should be dropped, its speed upon impact, and its direction when it hits the ground.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss separating the horizontal and vertical motions to analyze the problem. One participant expresses difficulty in determining the time of fall due to the lack of vertical acceleration information. Another suggests using equations of motion to find the time and horizontal distance.

Discussion Status

The discussion has progressed with one participant realizing a misunderstanding in their approach. Guidance has been offered regarding how to handle the vertical and horizontal components of the motion separately, which may assist in addressing the initial questions posed.

Contextual Notes

There is an indication of confusion regarding the application of equations of motion and the separation of horizontal and vertical components. The original poster mentions challenges in determining time, which is crucial for solving the problem.

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Homework Statement



A supply plane needs to drop a package of food to scientists working on a glacier in Greenland. The plane flies 108 m above the glacier at a speed of 175 m/s.

How far short of the target should it drop the package?
m

What speed does the package have when it hits the ground?
m/s

In what direction is the package moving when it hits the ground?
degrees below the horizontal (or the "x" axis).

Homework Equations


Vf= V0 +at
Deltax= V0t+ .5at^2
Vf^2= V0^2 +2ax
SOHCAHTOA


The Attempt at a Solution


I can't seem to figure out enough information for this to work. The horizontal acceleration always being zero is halting me from attaining more info. The vertical motion is the same, except with even less. I have only the change in x and the acceleration. I wish to find the time as well, but it seems rather impossible.

Suggestions?
 
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In these kind of problems, you always consider the horizontal and the vertical problem separately. The general way to handle them is:
- In the vertical direction, use something like y = h - 1/2 g t^2 to find the total falling time tf
- In the horizontal direction, the velocity vh is constant, so the horizontal distance traveled is vh * tf.

For the first question, that approach will work.
 
Gotcha. Figured out what I was doing wrong. Thanks!
 
Did that also help you answer the other questions?
 

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