⚙️AP Physics C: Mechanics
1. A drone is programmed to fly horizontally at constant altitude in a region where air resistance is negligible. At time t = 0, the drone is at position x = 0, y = 0 and has velocity components vx = 15 m/s and vy = 0 m/s in the coordinate system shown in Figure 1. At t = 0, the drone releases a package. The package falls freely under the influence of gravity while the drone continues its horizontal motion. Use g = 10 m/s² for the magnitude of the acceleration due to gravity.
Figure 1: Coordinate system and initial velocity of the drone (and released package) at t = 0
Figure 2: Velocity-component grid for drawing the package velocity vector at t = 2.0 s
On the grid in Figure 2, draw an arrow to represent the velocity vector of the package at time t = 2.0 s as measured in the coordinate system shown in Figure 1.
The arrow should start at the origin of the grid.
The length of the arrow components should be proportional to the velocity components vx and vy.
Derive an expression for the y-component of the position of the package as a function of time t. Express your answer in terms of t, g, and physical constants, as appropriate. Begin your derivation by writing a fundamental physics principle or an equation from the reference information.
Derive an expression for the magnitude of the velocity of the package at time t = 2.0 s as measured by the observer in the car. Express your answer in terms of g and physical constants, as appropriate. Begin your derivation by writing a fundamental physics principle or an equation from the reference information. An observer on the ground watches the package fall and measures its motion in the coordinate system shown in Figure 1. A second observer in a car drives horizontally at constant speed vc = 15 m/s in the +x-direction and also watches the package fall, measuring its motion in a reference frame moving with the car.
00:00
