Question

With your back to the wind (or other object), deflection is:

Answer 1

The deflection of an airplane's path when flying with a crosswind is a manifestation of the Coriolis force and is explained by the concept of relative velocity, which describes the combined effect of the airplane's motion and the wind's movement.

Step-by-step explanation:

With your back to the wind, the deflection of an object or the path of its motion is the result of the Coriolis force. This inertial force causes the apparent deflection of moving objects when viewed in a rotating frame of reference, such as the Earth. When considering an airplane flying in a crosswind, the path of the airplane is deflected from its intended course, which is described by its relative velocity. The airplane's total velocity is a combination of its velocity through the air and the wind's velocity. Consequently, as described in the provided figures, the airplane does not move relative to the ground in the direction it points; rather, it moves in the direction of its total velocity, which is affected by the wind. Vector calculus plays an important role in calculating these movements and in understanding atmospheric motion, including the effects of pressure and temperature.

Answer 2

Deflection is the apparent change in direction of a moving object when viewed from a rotating frame of reference. Examples include an airplane moving sideways in a strong crosswind and a boat moving diagonally across a river with a strong current.

Step-by-step explanation:

Deflection is the apparent change in direction of a moving object when viewed from a rotating frame of reference. When you have your back to the wind or any other object and the wind is blowing horizontally towards you, the wind will cause the object to move in a different direction than its intended path.

This can be observed in various scenarios, such as when an airplane is flying in a crosswind. The airplane may appear to be moving sideways instead of moving straight ahead relative to the ground. This is due to the combination of the airplane's velocity and the wind's velocity resulting in a total velocity that is different from the airplane's intended direction. Similarly, if a person rows a boat across a river with a strong current, the boat may move diagonally relative to the shore instead of directly towards the other shore. This is because the current of the river carries the boat downstream, causing a deflection in its path.