A plane is traveling horizontally, 1500 meters above the ground at 200m/s. A package is dropped with no initial downward velocity (Viy=0) at a point x=0 as shown in the diagram.

a. sketch the motion of the package as it falls.

b. calculate the x position of the package when it hits the ground.

Solution:

S = u t + ½ g t²

1500 = ½ x 9.8 x t²

1500 / 4.9 = t²

t = 17.5 sec

Horizontal position x = 200 x 17.5 m

= 3500 m

c. calculate the speed and angle at which it hits the ground

Solution

V_x= 200 m/s

V_y= 9.8 x 17.5

= 171.5 m/s

V = √ V_x² + V_y²

V = 263.5 m/s

Tan θ = V_y/ V_x

Tan θ = 0.8575

θ = 41⁰