Do you think this physics problem a bit ridiculous?

[wyq614]

(From http://bbs.typhoon.gov.cn)

Such a physics problem occurred in a physics examination held in a Chinese high school.

A plane is flying from A to B, B is located well to the east of A (90 deg). The velocity of the plane is 800km/h to the east while the wind speed is 400km/h to the north. Find out what track is the plane taking while flying from A to B.

Some of our typhoon trackers think it ridiculous and impossible. What do you think?

[MississippiHurricane]

I think my brain is fried.

[Chacor]

[Nimbus]

I think they should have added "through the upper level winds" or even better turn the problem into a fuel consumption calculation.

http://www.iasa.com.au/folders/Safety_I ... d_fuel.htm

[vbhoutex]

I was never good at physics, but it is not an impossible problem as I know I had one very similar in college, which I know I got wrong too.

[DanKellFla]

Simple vector algebra. I could have solved this in my head durring school. Just use Pythagorous (sp?) and triganometry.
Hint: The plane has to fly a southerly heading. It doesn't matter how far A is from B as long as wind speed and plane speed remaing constant throughout the flight. Your answer will be a speed and a heading.

[RL3AO]

894 km/hr @ 117 degrees,

[Ptarmigan]

Physics is a hard subject for me. I only took in high school. Despite it being difficult, it was interesting.

[Cyclenall]

I love Physics, but I'm not the best at it. That question wouldn't be too hard if I tried to figure it out. The upper level winds must be pretty powerful during that flight!

[Chacor]

400 km/h was bolded. Perhaps the point that was being made is that that kind of wind speed (even at high altitudes as tail or head wind) is just near impossible?

[gtalum]

400 km/h is roughly 240 mi/h. is that wind speed ridiculous even at high altitude?

[RL3AO]

Didn't a HH plane get a gust over 200 mph during Ivan? I believe that is the highest experienced by a plane in a cyclone.

[Cyclenall]

400 km/h is roughly 240 mi/h. is that wind speed ridiculous even at high altitude?

I'm not sure, I've heard that wind shear somewhere in the northern Pacific can reach up to 200 knots which is 240 mph roughly (maybe the jet stream?).

[coriolis]

If the destination is 90 deg. away, they better take into account the rotation and curvature of the earth. Also, for that great of a distance, the shortest distance would not be due east, but in a path that would look like an arc on a Mercator Map, but a straight line on a globe.

I hate questions that don't state the simplifying assumptions that are made.

[Aslkahuna]

Actually have seen aircraft reported winds off Japan in excess of 200 kt so a 400 km/h wind is not impossible.

Steve

[DanKellFla]

894 km/hr @ 117 degrees,

I was trying to help him figure it out for himself....