An airplane is attempting to drop relief supplies to a village. If the plane is flying at an altitude of 500m and a speed of 110 m/s, how far ahead of the drop zone does he need to release the pallet?'

1111 m

Explanation:

The following data were obtained from the question:

Height (h) = 500 m

Horizontal velocity (u) = 110 m/s

Horizontal distance (s) =?

Next we shall determine the time taken for the pallet to get to the target. This can be obtained as follow:

Height (h) = 500 m

Acceleration due to gravity (g) = 9.8 m/s²

Time (t) =?

h = ½gt²

500 = ½ × 9.8 × t²

500 = 4.9 × t²

Divide both side by 4.9

t² = 500/4.9

Take the square root of both side.

t = √(500/4.9)

t = 10.1 s

Finally, we shall determine how far the pallet needs to be dropped in order to get to the target. This can be obtained as follow:

Horizontal velocity (u) = 110 m/s

Time (t) = 10.1 s

Horizontal distance (s) =?

s = ut

s = 110 × 10.1

s = 1111 m

Thus, the pallet must be dropped at a distance of 1111 m from the plane in order to get the target.