Question

A crate of supplies for a scientific expedition to Greenland is being dropped by plane. When the supplies are dropped, the

plane is travelling at 40 m/s horizontally at a height of 50 m. Sadly, the parachute fails to open and the package falls to the
ground at 10 m/s². Find the horizontal distance travelled by the package as it falls given that it hits the ground right at the
feet of the scientific party.

Answer 1

126.5 m

Step-by-step explanation:

First, find the time it takes to fall. Given in the y direction:

s = 50 m

u = 0 m/s

a = 10 m/s²

Find: t

s = ut + ½ at²

50 = (0) t + ½ (10) t²

t = √10 s

Next, find the distance traveled in that time. Given in the x direction:

u = 40 m/s

a = 0 m/s²

t = √10 s

Find: s

s = ut + ½ at²

s = (40) (√10) + ½ (0) (√10)²

s = 40√10 m

s ≈ 126.5 m