In the context of a helicopter accelerating upwards and northwards, we need to consider the forces acting on it, including lift, weight (gravity), thrust, and drag (air resistance).
- Lift: This force is directed upward since the helicopter is accelerating upwards.
- Weight: This force is directed downward due to gravity.
- Thrust: This force is directed in the direction of the helicopter's acceleration, which in this case is upward and northward.
- Drag: This force opposes the direction of the helicopter's motion. Since the helicopter is moving upward and to the north, the drag force will be directed downwards and opposite to the northward motion, which means it will be directed downward and to the south.
Therefore, the true statement about the forces acting on the helicopter is:
The drag on the helicopter is directed downward and to the south.