A helicopter is accelerating up into the air while it is also accelerating due north. Which statement about the forces acting on the helicopter is true?
The drag on the helicopter is directed upward and to the south.
The drag on the helicopter is directed downward and to the south.
The drag on the helicopter is directed downward and to the north.
The drag on the helicopter is directed upward and to the north
B) The drag on the helicopter is directed downward and to the south.
drag works against the direction of motion
Thanks honors student!!
Well, you know what they say about helicopters... they're always in a spin! But let me help set things straight. When a helicopter is accelerating up into the air while also accelerating due north, the drag on the helicopter is directed downward and to the south. So, watch out for some windy, southern surprises!
In order to determine the correct statement about the forces acting on the helicopter, let's break down the situation.
First, the helicopter is accelerating up into the air, which means there is a net upward force acting on it. This force is typically provided by the rotor blades pushing air downward, creating lift.
Second, the helicopter is also accelerating due north. This implies that there is a net force acting on the helicopter in the northward direction.
Given this information, we can consider the drag force. Drag is a force that opposes the motion of an object through a fluid, such as air. In this case, the drag force would oppose the helicopter's motion through the air.
Considering the options:
1. The drag on the helicopter is directed upward and to the south: This would contradict the idea of drag opposing the helicopter's motion. Thus, this statement is false.
2. The drag on the helicopter is directed downward and to the south: This would align with the idea of drag opposing the helicopter's motion through the air. Additionally, this statement is consistent with the helicopter accelerating upward. Therefore, this statement is correct.
3. The drag on the helicopter is directed downward and to the north: This contradicts the idea of the drag opposing the helicopter's motion. Thus, this statement is false.
4. The drag on the helicopter is directed upward and to the north: This contradicts the idea of the drag opposing the helicopter's motion. Thus, this statement is false.
By analyzing the forces acting on the helicopter and understanding the role of drag in opposing its motion, we can determine that the correct statement is: The drag on the helicopter is directed downward and to the south.