Chapter 5, Problem 48AP

A flat cushion of mass m is released from rest at the corner of the roof of a building, at height h. A wind blowing along the side of the building exerts a constant horizontal force of magnitude F on the cushion as it drops as shown in Figure P5.48. The air exerts no vertical force. (a) Show that the path of the cushion is a straight line. (b) Does die cushion fall with constant velocity? Explain. (c) If m = 1.20 kg, h = 8.00 m, and F = 2.40 N, how far from the building will the cushion hit the level ground? What If? (d) If the cushion is thrown downward with a nonzero speed at the top of the building, what will be the shape of its trajectory? Explain.

Figure P5.48