If an airplane is moving 300 mph, relative to the air, into a headwind of 15 mph, what is its speed relative to the ground?
300-15 = 285 mph
To find the speed of the airplane relative to the ground, we need to calculate the difference between the speed of the airplane and the speed of the headwind.
Given:
Speed of the airplane relative to the air = 300 mph
Speed of the headwind = 15 mph
To find the speed of the airplane relative to the ground, we subtract the speed of the headwind from the speed of the airplane:
Speed of the airplane relative to the ground = Speed of the airplane - Speed of the headwind
Speed of the airplane relative to the ground = 300 mph - 15 mph
Speed of the airplane relative to the ground = 285 mph
Therefore, the speed of the airplane relative to the ground is 285 mph.
To find the speed of the airplane relative to the ground, you need to consider the effect of the headwind on its movement. Here's how you can calculate it:
1. Start by understanding the given information:
- Airspeed of the airplane: 300 mph (speed relative to the air)
- Headwind speed: 15 mph (opposing the direction of the airplane's motion)
2. Now, to determine the speed of the airplane relative to the ground, you need to find the vector sum of the airplane's airspeed and the headwind velocity. Since the headwind is opposing the airplane's motion, you subtract it from the airspeed.
3. Perform the calculation:
- Airspeed of the airplane: 300 mph
- Headwind speed: -15 mph (negative sign indicates opposing direction)
- Relative speed = Airspeed + (-Headwind speed)
- Relative speed = 300 mph + (-15 mph) = 285 mph
Therefore, the speed of the airplane relative to the ground is 285 mph.