Should the pilot drop the bombs before the plane is over the airfield when the plane is over the airfield, or after the plane has passed the airfield? A pilot is flying a mission to drop bombs on an enemy airfield. The plane is flying high and fast to the north, and the city is due north.

A. Before the plane reaches the airfield

B. When the plane is directly over the airfield

C. After the plane has passed the airfield

Question

Physics

Phoebe Clay

31 January, 13:57

Should the pilot drop the bombs before the plane is over the airfield when the plane is over the airfield, or after the plane has passed the airfield? A pilot is flying a mission to drop bombs on an enemy airfield. The plane is flying high and fast to the north, and the city is due north.

A. Before the plane reaches the airfield

B. When the plane is directly over the airfield

C. After the plane has passed the airfield

+4

Answers (1)

Know the Answer?

Randy Morton · Answer 1

A. Before the plane reaches the airfield.

Explanation:

The pilot should drop the bomb before the plane reaches the airfield. This is because the bomb will travel at the same horizontal velocity (due north) as the plane when it is falling towards the airfield. So if the pilot releases the bomb over or after the airfield, the bomb will travel north and miss the airfield.

But if the pilot drops the bomb before the airfield, it will travel north and hit its target when it falls.