At the right altitude would one jump from everyone on the plane change it's trajectory?
2007-08-31 09:18:07 · 5 answers · asked by babycakes2877 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Theoretically yes, but practically is will be unnoticeable.
Consider the law of momentum conservation: the ratio of changes in velocities will be inversely proportional to ratio of masses.
And as for the change of trajectory: if we assume that lifting force is quite independent from small changes in vertical velocity of the plane, than plane would simply oscillate around his "stable" trajectory in opposite direction to jumps of the passengers.
2007-08-31 09:34:09 · answer #1 · answered by Alexey V 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In principle, the airplane's trajectory would have to change briefly due to Newton's laws.
At least until they came back down.
But the center of mass of the entire system, of which the airplane is only a part, would not change it's trajectory at all.
It should be a simple experiment to set up.
"We learn by doing."
2007-08-31 16:43:53 · answer #2 · answered by farwallronny 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes,
The airplane and people weigh a certain amount, you subtract the people the plane will weigh less therefore changing its trajectory. The same principle applies to rocking a car back and forth.
2007-08-31 16:29:25 · answer #3 · answered by bullets_on_bone 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes.
After pilots jump off the plane,
the airplane will probably crush in absence of steering.
2007-08-31 16:24:05 · answer #4 · answered by Alexander 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. The plane will just bob down, then up, then down again as they kick off, leap, then land, respectively. The pilot will just assume he ran into a spot of turbulence.
2007-08-31 22:58:15 · answer #5 · answered by Dr. R 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, due to the mass of the plane and forward velocity of the plane.
2007-08-31 16:25:39 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋