Question

An Alaskan rescue plane traveling 49 m/s drops a package of emergency rations from a height of 177 m to a stranded party of explorers. The acceleration of gravity is 9.8 m/s 2 . Where does the package strike the ground relative to the point directly below where it was released?

Answer 1

It proceeds under the plane at the same horizontal velocity component as the plane so it hits right under the plane (turn when you drop a bomb)
so 49 m/s until it hits ground
Vertical problem
v = -g t
z = 177 -(1/2) g t^2
at ground 0 = 177 -(1/2) 9.81 t^2
so
t^2 = 177/4.9
solve for t
now horizontal problem for answer
goes at 49 m/s for t seconds from drop point

Answer 2

Ok now the next part is, What is the horizontal component of the velocity just before it hits?

Answer 3

don't worry i figured the first part out, I just need the second one

Answer 4

There is NO horizontal force on the object
Therefore it moved at the forwards speed of the plane until it hits ground.
We already used that fact.
Remember:
"..... now horizontal problem for answer
goes at 49 m/s for t seconds from drop point ......"