A bomb is released from a moving aeroplane flying horizontally at a uniform speed. Neglecting air resistance, what path does the bomb appear to follow according to the pilot?
- Athe bomb traverses a curved path and falls some distance behind that point.
- Bthe bomb traverses a curved path and falls some distance ahead.
- Cthe bomb drops vertically downward.
- Dthe bomb remains stationary in the air for some time.
Solution & Step-by-step Explanation
Due to the inertia of motion, at the moment of release, the bomb shares the exact same horizontal velocity component as the aeroplane. Assuming air resistance is negligible, both the airplane and the bomb move forward at the same horizontal speed. Consequently, the bomb remains directly underneath the aeroplane throughout its descent, making its relative path look straight vertically downwards to the pilot. (To an observer on the ground, it traces a parabolic path).