Final answer:
The helicopter is traveling at a speed of 80 mph directly west, independent of the car's motion on the highway, which makes option d the correct answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer to the given question is that the helicopter is traveling 80 mph west. Each vehicle's speed is measured relative to the ground, not to each other, unless explicitly stated. Therefore, the car's speed on the highway does not impact the measurement of the helicopter's speed. The question does not mention any influence from other factors such as wind or relative motion that could change the apparent speed of the helicopter from the ground's frame of reference. Thus, option d, which states the helicopter is traveling 80 mph west, is the accurate statement.
The helicopter is traveling 80 mph west.
This is because the helicopter is traveling at a constant speed of 80 mph in the west direction, while the car on the highway is traveling at a separate constant speed of 60 mph.
When two objects are moving in the same direction, their velocities add up, so the helicopter's velocity is 80 mph west.