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

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

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

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

Answer 1

To analyze the kinetic energy of the airplane on both flights, we can use the formula for kinetic energy (KE), which is given by:

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

where \( m \) is the mass of the object and \( v \) is its velocity.

In this scenario, the airplane flies at the same speed (490 miles per hour) for both flights, so the speed (\( v \)) remains constant. The primary difference between the two flights is the number of passengers, which affects the total mass of the airplane.

1. Flight from Phoenix to Los Angeles:

   • Number of passengers: 320
   • The total mass of the airplane is greater due to the increased number of passengers.

2. Return flight from Los Angeles to Phoenix:

   • Number of passengers: 164
   • The total mass of the airplane is less due to the reduced number of passengers.

Since kinetic energy depends on the mass, we can conclude:

• On the outbound flight, with 320 passengers, the plane has a larger mass than on the return flight with 164 passengers.
• When comparing the two, the kinetic energy on the return flight will be less because the mass is smaller, even though the speed is the same.

Therefore, the correct response is:

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