A jet aircraft, in level flight at constant speed, is observed directly over head. A sonic boom is heard 13.0 s later, at which time the line of sight to the aircraft forms a 51° angle with respect to the horizontal. The speed of sound is 325 m/s. The altitude of the aircraft is closest to
A) 6700 m.
B) 5400 m.
C) 8300 m.
D) 2700 m.
E) 13,000 m.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The aircraft is at an altitude of 6700 m.Explanation:The speed of the aircraft is:$$v = \frac{d}{t} = \frac{325 \ m/s 	imes 13.0 \ s}{\sin 51^\circ} = 425 \ m/s$$The altitude of the aircraft is:$$h = d 	an 51^\circ = 325 \ m/s 	imes 13.0 \ s 	imes 	an 51^\circ = 6700 \ m$$

A Jet Aircraft, in Level Flight at Constant Speed, Is