Velocity Vectors

Conceptual Physics

Text Correlation: Section 3.2

4

Question 1

• When an airplane flies directly into the wind, is the speed of the airplane across the ground more, less, or unaffected?

• Answer: Less speed. In fact, if the airplane's speed matches wind speed, the airplane would stay in one place (like a bird often does when it faces the wind) .

Question 2

• When an airplane flies directly with the wind, so the wind comes from behind, is the speed of the airplane across the ground more, less, or unaffected?

• Answer: It is more.

Question 3

• When an airplane flies in a cross wind, so its nose is pointing at right angles to the wind, is the speed of the airplane across the ground more, less, or unaffected?

• Answer: It is more! How much more and in what direction is found by vectors!