Chapter 3, Problem 44A

As Earth rotates about its axis, it takes three hours for the United States to pass beneath a point above Earth that is stationary relative to the sun. What is wrong with the following scheme? To travel from Washington, D.C. to San Francisco using very little fuel, simply ascend in a helicopter high over Washington, D.C., and wait three hours until San Francisco passes below.

To determine

The unsuitable reason of the given scheme.

Answer to Problem 44A

Due to inertia, the scheme of travelling from Washington DC to San Francisco is not possible.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

According to Newton’s first law of motion, the inertia is the inability of the body to change its state of rest or motion without any external force applied to it.

In the given situation, the scheme will not work because the helicopter will be moving at the horizontal speed due to the earth’s rotation. That is why after 3 hours, the helicopter will be still moving over Washington DC. Hence, the relative speed of the helicopter due to earth will not change, due to inertia.

Conclusion:

Due to inertia, the scheme of traveling from Washington DC to San Francisco is not possible.