An airplane must drop a package of supplies so that it hits the ground at a desi
ID: 2288944 • Letter: A
Question
An airplane must drop a package of supplies so that it hits the ground at a designated spot near some campers. The airplane is moving horizontally with a contant velocity of 160km/h, approaches the spot at an altitude of 0.500 km above level ground. Having the designated point in sight, the pilot prepares to drop the package. (a) what should the angle between the horizontal and the pilot's line of sight be when the package is released? (b) What is the location of the plane when the package hits the ground?
Explanation / Answer
(a) the angle between the horizontal and the pilot's line of sight be when the package is released
time for package to touch ground , 500 = 0 + 1/2gt2
t = 10.10s
horizontal distance travelled by plane in that time = 160*5/18*10.10 = 449 m
angle between the horizontal and the pilot's line of sight be when the package is released = tan-1(500/449)
angle = 48.06 degree
(b) the location of the plane when the package hits the ground
location of palne will be vertically above the package i.e. 449 m from where package was released