Question

A small aircraft of mass 1200 kg is cruising at 250 km/h at an altitude of 2000 m.
(i) What is the gravitational potential energy (relative to the ground), and what is the kinetic energy of the aircraft?
(ii) If the pilot puts the aircraft into a dive, what will be the gravitational potential energy, what will be the kinetic energy, and what will be the speed when the aircraft reaches an altitude of 1500 m?

Assume that the engine of the aircraft compensates the friction force of air, so the aircraft is effectively in free fall.

Answer 1

gravitational potiential energy at height 2000m =

veloctiy in m/s =

KInetic energy at height 2000m=

   

2)

Vertical Velocity at 1500m

  

Net velocity at attitude 1500m=

     

Kinetic energy at 1500m=

Potienial energy at 1500m =

   .