Answer:
a. 13.7 s b. 6913.5 m
Explanation:
a. How much time before being directly overhead should the box be dropped?
Since the box falls under gravity we use the equation
y = ut - 1/2gt² where y = height of plane above ocean = 919 m, u = initial vertical velocity of airplane = 0 m/s, g = acceleration due to gravity = -9.8 m/s² and t = time it takes the airplane to be directly overhead.
So,
y = ut - 1/2gt²
y = 0 × t - 1/2gt²
y = 0 - 1/2gt²
y = - 1/2gt²
t² = -2y/g
t = √(-2y/g)
So, t = √(-2 × 919 m/-9.8 m/s²)
t = √(-1838 m/-9.8 m/s²)
t = √(187.551 m²/s²)
t = 13.69 s
t ≅ 13.7 s
So, the box should be dropped 13.69 s before being directly overhead.
b. What is the horizontal distance between the plane and the victims when the box is dropped?
The horizontal distance x between plane and victims, x = speed of plane × time it takes for box to drop = 505 m/s × 13.69 s = 6913.45 m ≅ 6913.5 m
