Question

an airplane pilot flying at constant velocity and altitude drops a heavy crate. ignoring air resistance, where will the plane be relative to the crate when the crate hits the ground? a the plane will be behind the crate. b the plane will be well in front of the crate. c the plane will be slightly in front of the crate. d the plane will be directly over the crate.

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze horizontal motion

Before the crate is dropped, it has the same horizontal velocity as the plane. Since there is no air - resistance to affect the horizontal motion, the horizontal velocity of the crate remains constant during its fall.

Step2: Compare horizontal displacements

The plane also moves with a constant horizontal velocity. As the time of fall for the crate is the same as the time the plane is in motion during the crate's fall, and their horizontal velocities are equal, the horizontal displacements of the plane and the crate are the same.

Answer:

D. The plane will be directly over the crate.