Question

A pilot drops a package from a plane flying horizontally at a constant speed. Neglecting air resistance, when the package hits the ground the horizontal location of the plane will

Answer 1

Complete Question:

A pilot drops a package from a plane flying horizontally at a constant speed. Neglecting air resistance, when the package hits the ground the horizontal location of the plane will

A. be behind the package.

B. be over the package.

C. be in front of the package.

D. depend on the speed of the plane when the package was released.

Answer:

B.

Explanation:

As no other horizontal forces are present, due to the horizontal movement and the vertical one are independent each other (as they are perpendicular), the plane and the package continue moving horizontally at the same speed, so when the package hits the ground (due to the action of gravity in the vertical direction only) the plane will be exactly over the package.