eli5 What would happen if I had a big enough airplane to throw a ball around then the airplane turns while the ball is in mid air?
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If the airplane is in coordinated flight (the relative airflow meets the airplane head-on) then the ball acts as the airplane is level, but apparent gravity (G) increases in proportion to both angle of bank and indicated airspeed.
Let’s assume that the plane turns hard, like a fighter jet. The ball would seem to move in mid-air as the plane turned. if you were strapped into the plane, you’d turn with it and see the ball move sideways. If you were just standing unsupported, you would move sideways with the ball for an instant and then probably fall over.
Let’s assume that the plane turns hard, like a fighter jet. The ball would seem to move in mid-air as the plane turned. if you were strapped into the plane, you’d turn with it and see the ball move sideways. If you were just standing unsupported, you would move sideways with the ball for an instant and then probably fall over.
An observer on the plane will see the ball curve with the curvature more or less based upon how quickly the plane is turning.
Now lets look at it from someone in a plane flying parallel to the original plane that doesn’t turn (and we’ll assume the plane with the ball is transparent). An observer on the second plane will see the ball follow almost the identical path as the ball without the turning plane. The path will not be exactly the same because the air is moving with the plane and it will exert a force on the ball in mid-flight, but this force isn’t terribly strong–which is why you can throw the ball through the air in the first place.
Let’s assume that the plane turns hard, like a fighter jet. The ball would seem to move in mid-air as the plane turned. if you were strapped into the plane, you’d turn with it and see the ball move sideways. If you were just standing unsupported, you would move sideways with the ball for an instant and then probably fall over.
An observer on the plane will see the ball curve with the curvature more or less based upon how quickly the plane is turning.
Now lets look at it from someone in a plane flying parallel to the original plane that doesn’t turn (and we’ll assume the plane with the ball is transparent). An observer on the second plane will see the ball follow almost the identical path as the ball without the turning plane. The path will not be exactly the same because the air is moving with the plane and it will exert a force on the ball in mid-flight, but this force isn’t terribly strong–which is why you can throw the ball through the air in the first place.
If the airplane is in coordinated flight (the relative airflow meets the airplane head-on) then the ball acts as the airplane is level, but apparent gravity (G) increases in proportion to both angle of bank and indicated airspeed.
An observer on the plane will see the ball curve with the curvature more or less based upon how quickly the plane is turning.
Now lets look at it from someone in a plane flying parallel to the original plane that doesn’t turn (and we’ll assume the plane with the ball is transparent). An observer on the second plane will see the ball follow almost the identical path as the ball without the turning plane. The path will not be exactly the same because the air is moving with the plane and it will exert a force on the ball in mid-flight, but this force isn’t terribly strong–which is why you can throw the ball through the air in the first place.
Imagine you and your furry friends are playing fetch inside a huge, enclosed dog park that can move, like a giant, mobile playpen. While you’re playing, the dog park starts to turn.
When you throw the ball in midair, and the dog park turns, the ball appears to move along with the dog park. This is because the ball, you, your furry friends, and the dog park are all part of the same moving system. It’s like when you’re running with a toy in your mouth – the toy moves with you because it’s part of your system.
In the case of the airplane, the same thing happens. When the airplane turns, the air inside moves along with the airplane. Since the ball is surrounded by the moving air, it also moves along with the airplane. To you and your friends inside, it seems like the ball is following a straight path, even though the airplane is turning.
So, if you were inside a big enough airplane and threw a ball while the airplane turned, the ball would appear to continue moving in a straight line, just like it would in a stationary dog park.
If the airplane is in coordinated flight (the relative airflow meets the airplane head-on) then the ball acts as the airplane is level, but apparent gravity (G) increases in proportion to both angle of bank and indicated airspeed.
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