An airplane flies in a semi-circular arc in order to simulate "weightlessness" for its occupants.If the speed at which the plane flies is 750 km/hr,what is the radius of the semicircular path it flies in?
A) 57 km
B) 1.6 km
C) 4.4 km
D) 2.2 km
E) 76 km

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

To simulate weightlessness, the plane must follow a free-fall trajectory, which is a parabolic path. However, for a semicircular path, the centripetal acceleration must equal gravitational acceleration (9.8 m/s²). Using the formula v²/r = g, where v = 750 km/hr (converted to 208.33 m/s), we solve for r: r = v²/g = (208.33)²/9.8 ≈ 4.4 km.

An Airplane Flies in a Semi-Circular Arc in Order to Simulate