A plane is flying due east in still air at 395 km/h. suddenly, the plane is hit by wind blowing at 55km/h toward the west. what is the resultant velocity of the plane

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Physics

Rosa Bright

25 May, 19:25

A plane is flying due east in still air at 395 km/h. suddenly, the plane is hit by wind blowing at 55km/h toward the west. what is the resultant velocity of the plane

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Julia Hess · Answer 1

Let's be clear: The plane's "395 km/hr" is speed relative to the

air, and the wind's "55 km/hr" is speed relative to the ground.

Before the wind hits, the plane moves east at 395 km/hr relative

to both the air AND the ground.

After the wind hits, the plane still maintains the same air-speed.

That is, its velocity relative to the air is still 395 km/hr east.

But the wind vector is added to the air-speed vector, and the

plane's velocity relative to the ground drops to 340 km/hr east.