Question

A Boeing 777 cargo plane fully loaded is flying at 550 mph. The total weight of the plane, including its cargo is 225, 500 pounds. The plane has a total cargo volume of 23,050 ft3. The plane is flying at an elevation of 39, 000 ft above sea level. The acceleration of gravity given in English units at that elevation is 32.051 units. The plane has been at this elevation for approximately 1 hr 15 min. Calculate the energy in English units the fully loaded plane contains based solely on its motion.

Answer 1

Total energy = Kinetic energy + potential energy

T.E. = 1/2mv^2 + mgh

velocity = 550 mph = 550*1.467 foot/sec = 806.85 fps

T.E. = 0.5*225500*(806.85)^2 + 225500*32.051*39000 = 3.55e11 foot-pound