Question

A plane is flying horizontally with speed 315m/s at a height 2770m above the ground, when a package is dropped from the plane.The acceleration of gravity is 9.8m/s^2. Neglecting air resistance, when the package hits the ground, the plane will be.1) behind the package.

2) ahead of the package.
3) directly above the package.

Answer 1

3) directly above the package.

Explanation:

The plane and the package carried by the plane are traveling with the same horizontal speed. When the package is dropped, a new vertical component of velocity is added to the package. The vertical velocity increases because of the acceleration due to gravity. The horizontal speed of the package remains the same. As long as the plane continues to fly at the same speed, the package hits the ground directly below the plane.

Answer: 3) directly above the package.