Physics Review

In flight, a fixed wing aircraft experiences four forces:

Weight (W)
Thrust (T)
Lift (L)
Drag (D)

The plane shown above is in equilibrium. It's flying straight and level at constant speed . The weight and thrust are known:

\begin{aligned} W = & \ 7500 N \\ T = & \ 1000 N \end{aligned}

Based on this information what can you say about the size of the lift force?

L < \ 7500 N

L = \ 7500 N

L > \ 7500 N

Not enough information to say anything about lift.

SOLUTION:

L = \ 7500 N

Now the plane shown above increases the propeller thrust to T = 2500 N . What is the approximate acceleration of the vehicle in the x direction? (assume g = 10 m/s^2 )

a_x \approx 0 m/s^2

a_x \approx 0.1 m/s^2

a_x \approx 0.2 m/s^2

a_x \approx 0.3 m/s^2

a_x \approx 1 m/s^2

a_x \approx 2 m/s^2

a_x \approx 3 m/s^2

SOLUTION:

a\_x \approx 2 m/s^2