An airplane carries 320 passengers from Phoenix to Los Angeles flying at an average speed of 490 miles per hour. On the return flight, the plane carries 164 passengers and travels at the same average speed. What happens to the plane’s kinetic energy?(1 point)

Question

Responses

On the return flight, the plane has less kinetic energy.

On the return flight, the plane has more kinetic energy.

The plane’s kinetic energy is the same on both flights.

The plane’s kinetic energy is changed to potential energy when it lands.

Answer 1

The plane's kinetic energy is determined by the formula:

\[ KE = \frac{1}{2}mv^2 \]

where \( KE \) is kinetic energy, \( m \) is mass, and \( v \) is velocity.

In this case, the speed of the airplane remains constant at 490 miles per hour for both flights. However, the number of passengers does affect the mass of the airplane.

1. Initial Flight: The mass of the airplane (including fuel, cargo, and 320 passengers) is greater than on the return flight since it carries more passengers.
2. Return Flight: The mass decreases because the plane is now carrying 164 passengers.

Since the kinetic energy depends on both mass and the square of the velocity, when the plane has fewer passengers (and therefore less mass) on the return flight while maintaining the same speed, the kinetic energy will be reduced.

Thus, the correct response is:

On the return flight, the plane has less kinetic energy.