A helicopter is accelerating up into the air while it is also accelerating due north. Which statement about the forces acting on the helicopter is true?
The drag on the helicopter is directed upward and to the south.
The drag on the helicopter is directed downward and to the south.
The drag on the helicopter is directed downward and to the north.
The drag on the helicopter is directed upward and to the north.
The drag on the helicopter is directed upward and to the south.
To determine the true statement about the forces acting on the helicopter, we need to understand the forces involved.
First, let's consider the force required for the helicopter to accelerate upward into the air. This force is called the lift force and is directed vertically upward, opposing the force of gravity.
Next, let's consider the force required for the helicopter to accelerate due north. This force is provided by the engine and is directed to the north.
Now, let's address the drag force. Drag is a force that opposes the motion of an object through a fluid (in this case, air). The direction of drag depends on the relative motion between the object and the fluid.
In this scenario, since the helicopter is accelerating upward into the air, the drag force will generally be directed opposite to the helicopter's motion. Therefore, the drag force will be directed downward.
Now, we consider the direction of the drag force horizontally (north/south). Since the helicopter is accelerating due north, the drag force will act opposite to the helicopter's motion, which is to the south.
Based on this explanation, the correct statement about the forces acting on the helicopter is:
The drag on the helicopter is directed downward and to the south.