An airplane cruises at 900 km/h relative to the air. It is flying from Denver, Colorado, due west to Reno, Nevada, a distance of 1200 km, and will then return. There is a steady 80 km/h wind blowing to the east. What is the difference in flight time between the two legs of the trip?

Question

Ronnie Singh

Physics

25 March, 10:24

An airplane cruises at 900 km/h relative to the air. It is flying from Denver, Colorado, due west to Reno, Nevada, a distance of 1200 km, and will then return. There is a steady 80 km/h wind blowing to the east. What is the difference in flight time between the two legs of the trip?

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Answers (1)

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Carter Carrillo · Answer 1

26.5 minutes

Explanation:

When the airplane is flying due West from Denver to Reno, the due-East wind with speed of 80km/h would reduce the ground speed by 80 km/h.

Its Denver to Reno ground speed is 900 - 80 = 720 km/h

The time it takes to cover 1200km at this speed is 1200 / 720 = 1.67 hours

On the other hand, when it returns from Reno to Denver in the due-East direction, the due-East wind with speed of 80km/h would add to the ground speed by 80 km/h

Its Reno to Denver ground speed is 900 + 80 = 980 km/h

The time it takes to cover 1200 km at this speed is 1200 / 980 = 1.22 hours

The difference it flight time would be 1.67 - 1.22 = 0.44 hours or 26.5 minutes