Which plane will get there first?

@Jemina (5770)
January 18, 2007 8:46pm CST
I asked this question few days ago and I want to ask it again. There are two planes traveling at the same speed. They started from the same airport. One is going east, the other west. Both plane will travel the same distance on opposite ways. Will they get to their destination at the same time considering there are no hassles?
3 responses
Ananasii
@Ananasii (33)
•
19 Jan 07
That depends on your exact defination of "Same distance" Assuming you mean the destination for both planes is a point exactly opposite on the globe to the starting point, then no, due to the rotation of the earth (which rotates east to west) the plane that went east has its destination coming towards it as the world revoles, while the plane heading west's destination is getting further away. If you, however, mean that both planes travel for exactly X miles/kilometers, no further, no less, regardless of where they end up, then yes they will both arrive at that distance at exactly the same time.
1 person likes this
Jemina
@Jemina (5770)
•
19 Jan 07
Wow! that's what i thought so too but somebody told me that the planes are controlled by the gravity so no matter which way they travel they will get to the destination at the same time.
Ananasii
@Ananasii (33)
•
19 Jan 07
I'm not sure, but I'd think that if gavity was affecting them, it would be slowing one plane down, at which point the pilot would just increase his speed to match the other plane.
uath13
@uath13 (8192)
• United States
19 Jan 07
If the destination is exactly oposite the starting point on the globe the plane flying east will get there far faster. As the earth turns it brings the destination closer to the eastward flying one and further from the other.
1 person likes this
Jemina
@Jemina (5770)
•
19 Jan 07
That's exactly what I thought but wasn't sure if I was right.
uath13
@uath13 (8192)
• United States
19 Jan 07
If their destination is exacly oposite the starting point on the globe the one going east will reach it much faster. As the earth turns it will bring the point closer to the eastward plane and further from the westward.