An airplane is flying at a constant velocity parallel to the horizontal, and the pilot drops a flare. Assuming that the plane does not change course, where will the plane be relative to the flare when the flare hits the ground?
directly under
To determine where the plane will be relative to the flare when it hits the ground, we need to consider the relative motion between the plane and the flare.
Since the plane is flying at a constant velocity parallel to the horizontal, we can assume it continues flying in a straight line from the point where the flare was dropped. The flare, on the other hand, will fall vertically due to the force of gravity.
Gravity affects the vertical motion of the flare, but it has no effect on the horizontal motion of the plane. The horizontal velocity of the plane remains the same throughout.
Therefore, when the flare hits the ground, it will have only moved vertically while the plane continues flying without changing its horizontal position. Consequently, the plane will be located directly above the spot where the flare hits the ground.
To visualize this, imagine dropping a ball vertically while you walk in a straight line. The ball falls straight down due to gravity, but as you continue walking, you end up being further ahead of the ball when it hits the ground.
In summary, when the flare hits the ground, the plane will be directly above the spot where the flare lands.