Webpage title: Relative Motion Problem: Plane and Helicopter Velocity

AI Thread Summary
A plane traveling horizontally at 100 m/s is observed from a helicopter ascending at 20 m/s. The plane's velocity relative to the helicopter is calculated using the equation for relative motion, resulting in a vertical component of -20 m/s and a horizontal component of 100 m/s. This leads to a combined velocity of approximately 102 m/s, indicating that the plane appears to move right and down from the helicopter's perspective. The correct answer to the problem is that the plane's velocity is right and down, more than 100 m/s. The discussion confirms the solution and expresses satisfaction with the understanding of the concept.
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Homework Statement


A plane traveling horizontally to the right at 100 m/s flies past a helicopter that is going straight up at 20 at 20 m/s. From the helicopter's perspective, the plane's direction and speed are:
a) Right and up, less than 100 m/s.
b) Right and up, 100 m/s.
c) Right and up, more than 100m/s.
d) Right and down, less than 100m/s.
e) Right and down, 100 m/s.
f) Right and down, more than 100 m/s.

Homework Equations


\vec{v} = \vec{v}' + \vec{V}
\vec{v} = velocity of the object in the helicopter's reference frame.
\vec{V} = the relative velocity measured between two reference frames
\vec{v}' = velocity of the plane relative to the helicopter's reference frame.

The Attempt at a Solution


Just a conceptual question that I do not have the answer to that appeared at the end of the chapter of my text. If the helicopter's reference frame is reference frame S, then the plane would have a vertical velocity component of -20 m/s and horizontal velocity component of 100 m/s. Using the equation:
\vec{v} = \vec{v}' + \vec{V}
\vec{v} = (100\hat{i} - 20\hat{j}) m/s
\vec{v} =\sqrt{(100^{2}) - (20^{2})}m/s \approx 102 m/s
Therefore, relative to the helicopter's reference frame, the plane's velocity would be f) right and down, more than 100 m/s. Correct?
 
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Bingo! :smile:
 
Ignea_unda said:
Bingo! :smile:

Great. Thank you. :biggrin:
 
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