Serway & Jewett — The Laws of Motion: Problem 48

A flat cushion of mass \(m\) is released from rest at the corner of the roof of a building, at height \(h\). A wind blowing along the side of the building exerts a constant horizontal force of magnitude \(F\) on the cushion as it drops as shown in Figure P5.48. The air exerts no vertical force. (a) Show that the path of the cushion is a straight line. (b) Does the cushion fall with constant velocity? Explain. (c) If \(m = 1.20\text{ kg}\), \(h = 8.00\text{ m}\), and \(F = 2.40\text{ N}\), how far from the building will the cushion hit the level ground? What If? (d) If the cushion is thrown downward with a nonzero speed at the top of the building, what will be the shape of its trajectory? Explain.