Question 87: Motion in 2D & Vectors

Question

A bomb is dropped by fighter plane flying horizontally. To an observer sitting in the plane, the trajectory of the bomb is a :

Accepted Answer

The correct answer is
Option C, a straight line vertically down the plane
.
Here's why:
Frame of Reference:
The key to understanding projectile motion is considering the frame of reference.  The observer in the plane is in a moving frame of reference. From their perspective, they are at rest, and the bomb has the same horizontal velocity as the plane.
Gravity's Influence:
The only force acting on the bomb after it's released is gravity. Gravity acts vertically downwards.
Resultant Motion:
Because the bomb has the same horizontal velocity as the plane and is only affected by gravity vertically, it appears to the observer in the plane to fall straight down.
Let's eliminate the other options:
Option A (Hyperbola):
A hyperbolic trajectory occurs when an object is influenced by two forces acting in different directions, resulting in a path that gets progressively straighter. This doesn't apply to the bomb scenario.
Option B and D (Parabola):
A parabolic trajectory is observed from a stationary frame of reference on the ground. In this case, the horizontal motion of the bomb combined with the vertical acceleration due to gravity creates a parabolic path.

Answer

hyperbola

Answer

parabola in the direction of motion of plane

Answer

straight line vertically down the plane

Answer

parabola in a direction opposite to the motion of plane

Motion in 2D & Vectors

A bomb is dropped by fighter plane flying horizontally. To an observer sitting in the plane, the trajectory of the bomb is a :

Choose the correct answer: