The drag force on a plane is proportional to the density of the air.By what factor does the drag force change if a plane goes from an altitude 5.5 km to 11 km? The atmospheric pressure goes from to atm in going from 5.5 km to 11 km.Assume that the plane is at level flight and flies at the same speed.
D)1

Question

The drag force on a plane is proportional to the density of the air.By what factor does the drag force change if a plane goes from an altitude 5.5 km to 11 km? The atmospheric pressure goes from  to  atm in going from 5.5 km to 11 km.Assume that the plane is at level flight and flies at the same speed.
D)1

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The density of air decreases exponentially with altitude, and the atmospheric pressure can be used as a measure of this decrease. From 5.5 km to 11 km, the atmospheric pressure decreases by a factor of approximately 2. The density of the air will also decrease by a factor of 2, assuming a constant temperature.

Since the drag force is proportional to the density of the air, it will also decrease by a factor of 2 as the plane goes from 5.5 km to 11 km altitude.

Therefore, the correct answer is B, which is a factor of 2.

The Drag Force on a Plane Is Proportional to the Density