Chapter 3, Problem 66GP

Small-plane pilots regularly compete in “message drop” competitions, dropping heavy weights (for which air resistance can be ignored) from their low-flying planes and scoring points for having the weights land close to a target. A plane 60 m above the ground is flying directly toward a target at 45 m/s.

a. At what distance from the target should the pilot drop the weight?

b. The pilot looks down at the weight after she drops it. Where is the plane located at the instant the weight hits the ground—not yet over the target, directly over the target, or past the target?