University of Alabama

Department of Physics
PH105
CH04 2-D Motion Homework

Problems 013-015

Given:

A cargo plane is flying horizontally at an altitude of 12.2 km with a constant speed of 530 km/hr when a
large crate slides out of the rear of the plane.

Question:

How long does it take the crate to hit the ground? The acceleration of gravity is 9.81 m/s2. Answer in units of
s.

Solution:

Since we have an unknown time, we’re limited to only one formula:

. Remember that in this, we’re only dealing with the vertical component; thus, there is no initial displacement

or velocity. As a result, we can simplify the formula to .

Plug in values to the formula

Shuffle values around using basic arithmetic

Final answer!

Note: watch how the units work out in this problem; often times you can determine if your logic is sound by chasing the units
through your math.

Question:

What is the horizontal distance of the crate from the point it fell off to the point where it hits the ground?
Answer in units of km.

Solution:

Here we’re dealing with the horizontal component of the crate’s movement. We’re to assume that air
resistance is negligible here, thus giving us no acceleration. Since it calls for a solution in kilometers, we’ll
University of Alabama
Department of Physics
PH105
CH04 2-D Motion Homework

keep it in kilometers, but we need to convert the velocity to so as to work with the time we have for
the crate falling. The formula we need to use is simple: .

Converting the velocity to useful units

Plug in to the formula

Final answer!

Question:

How far is the crate from the aircraft when the crate hits the ground, assuming that the plane continues to fly
with constant velocity? Answer in units of km.

Solution:

This one’s simple. Remember that the crate has the same horizontal velocity as the plane. Therefore, the crate
is directly under the plane for it’s entire fall. The instant it hits the ground, it is directly below the
plane, not a bit in front or a bit behind it. Therefore, the answer is .