Classical Dynamics of Particles and Systems · Problem 2-6
Oscillations — Marion & Thornton
Physics — Mechanics · projectile-hay-bales
Problem
In the blizzard of '88, a rancher was forced to drop hay bales from an airplane to feed her cattle. The plane flew horizontally at 160 km/hr and dropped the bales from a height of 80 m above the flat range. (a) She wanted the bales of hay to land 30 m behind the cattle so as to not hit them. Where should she push the bales out of the airplane? (b) To not hit the cattle, what is the largest time error she could make while pushing the bales out of the airplane? Ignore air resistance.