Final Answer:
The plane flying horizontally at an altitude of 500 meters with a velocity of 200 meters per second east follows a straight-line path parallel to the Earth's surface.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a plane is flying horizontally at a constant altitude, it means that its vertical position remains unchanged, and it is not ascending or descending. In this scenario, the altitude of the plane is given as 500 meters, signifying its distance above the Earth's surface. The mention of a velocity of 200 meters per second east indicates the speed and direction of the plane's horizontal motion. The term "east" signifies the direction along the horizontal axis, perpendicular to the north-south axis. Therefore, the plane is moving eastward in a straight-line path at a constant altitude.
The altitude, in this context, does not affect the plane's horizontal motion; it only provides information about its vertical position. The velocity of 200 meters per second east indicates the rate and direction of the plane's displacement along the horizontal axis. This combination of horizontal motion and constant altitude results in a straight-line trajectory parallel to the Earth's surface.
Understanding the interplay between altitude and velocity is essential in physics and aviation. In this case, the information given describes a straightforward scenario where the plane maintains a fixed height while moving horizontally in an eastward direction. This interpretation helps visualize the plane's motion and contributes to a comprehensive understanding of its kinematics.