Ground Speed of Plane in Windy Conditions

In summary, the ground speed of the plane is 520 km/h due to the wind blowing at 90 km/h to the northwest.
  • #1
NeedHelpBro
4
0

Homework Statement


A Jet is heading due east: its nose points towards the east direction, but its trajectory on the ground deviates from the east direction due to a sideways component of the wind. The plane is also climbing at the rate of 100 km/h (height increase per unit time). If the plane's airspeed is 520 km/h and there is a wind blowing 90 km/h to the northwest, what is the ground speed of the plane?

Homework Equations

√x2+y2+z2=a

The Attempt at a Solution

Is y=90j
z=100k

√x2+y2+z2=520 ?

And you solve for x?
 
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  • #2
NeedHelpBro said:

Homework Statement


A Jet is heading due east: its nose points towards the east direction, but its trajectory on the ground deviates from the east direction due to a sideways component of the wind. The plane is also climbing at the rate of 100 km/h (height increase per unit time). If the plane's airspeed is 520 km/h and there is a wind blowing 90 km/h to the northwest, what is the ground speed of the plane?

Homework Equations

√x2+y2+z2=a

The Attempt at a Solution

Is y=90j
z=100k

√x2+y2+z2=520 ?

And you solve for x?

Try it and see!

BTW: your equations for y and z are wrong: y is a scalar and j is a vector, so you cannot have y = 90j, because a scalar cannot equal a vector. Your z-equation is wrong for the same reason.
 
  • #3
Not only that, but you should also note that the wind is not orthogonal to the plane’s airspeed velocity. You need to find an expression for the total velocity in vector form.
 
  • #4
Ray Vickson said:
Try it and see!

BTW: your equations for y and z are wrong: y is a scalar and j is a vector, so you cannot have y = 90j, because a scalar cannot equal a vector. Your z-equation is wrong for the same reason.

Orodruin said:
Not only that, but you should also note that the wind is not orthogonal to the plane’s airspeed velocity. You need to find an expression for the total velocity in vector form.
I have tired my above equation and give me incorrect answer compare to answer provided.

How do find equation of the plane? I have draw what i think the question is asking. Is this correct?

upload_2018-4-1_19-9-47.png
 

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1. What is the difference between airspeed and ground speed?

Airspeed is the speed at which an aircraft moves through the air, while ground speed is the speed at which an aircraft moves over the ground. Ground speed takes into account the effects of wind, while airspeed does not.

2. How does wind affect the ground speed of a plane?

Wind can either increase or decrease the ground speed of a plane, depending on its direction and strength. When the wind is blowing in the same direction as the plane is flying (a tailwind), it will increase the ground speed. When the wind is blowing in the opposite direction of the plane's flight (a headwind), it will decrease the ground speed.

3. How is ground speed calculated?

Ground speed is calculated by combining the airspeed of the plane with the speed and direction of the wind. This calculation takes into account the angle between the wind and the plane's direction of travel, known as the wind correction angle.

4. Can ground speed be higher than airspeed?

Yes, ground speed can be higher than airspeed due to the effects of a tailwind. In this situation, the speed of the wind adds to the airspeed, resulting in a higher ground speed.

5. How does ground speed affect flight time?

The ground speed of a plane can have a significant impact on flight time. In the presence of a headwind, the ground speed will be lower, and the flight time will be longer. A tailwind, on the other hand, will increase ground speed and reduce flight time.

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