Question

If a plane travels at a maximum velocity of 75 m/s through still air (the top velocity), and it encounters a tailwind of 15 m/s (the bottom vector), what is the plane's velocity from the frame of reference of a person standing on the ground?

A) 60 m/s
B) 75 m/s
C) 90 m/s
D) 15 m/s

Answer 1

The plane's velocity from the frame of reference of a person standing on the ground is the sum of its velocity through still air and the tailwind velocity, which adds up to 90 m/s. The correct answer is C) 90 m/s.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a plane travels through the air and encounters a tailwind, the velocities are additive. In this situation, the plane has a maximum velocity of 75 m/s through still air, and it encounters a tailwind of 15 m/s. The plane's velocity from the frame of reference of a person standing on the ground is the sum of these two velocities. The calculated velocity would be: Plane's velocity through still air + Tailwind velocity = Total velocity from the ground reference 75 m/s + 15 m/s = 90 m/s. Therefore, the correct answer is C) 90 m/s. This represents the speed at which the plane would appear to be traveling to an observer on the ground.