Newton's First Law and Airplanes Problems
If so instructed by your teacher, print out a worksheet page for these problems.

1.  An F18 Hornet aircraft sits motionless on a runway because of inertia. If that plane starts to move down the runway, it means that there must be a force acting on it. Of the four main forces that act on aircraft, which one is most likely to cause the forward motion down the runway?
   
2. Which of the four forces causes the airplane to become airborne?
   
3. Once the F18 Hornet is airborne, which force is equal to the force of thrust?
   
4. As the F18 Hornet travels at constant velocity, it burns fuel, which decreases its weight. In response to this decrease, which of the four forces is also likely to decrease?
   
5. On the line below, draw the arrow that indicates thrust force of the F18 Hornet pictured above:
6. On the line below, draw the arrow that indicates lift force of the F18 Hornet pictured above:
7. On the line below, draw the arrow that indicates weight force of the F18 Hornet pictured above:
8. On the line below, draw the arrow that indicates drag force of the F18 Hornet pictured above:
9. Which one word defines Newton's First Law of Motion?

Consider the situations below to determine whether or not there is an external force acting on the airplane. Remember that according to Newton's First Law, a plane will resist a change in its state of rest or motion unless it is acted on by a force. Write the word force next to the situations where an external force acts.

1. The F18 is flying at 200 mph at an elevation of 30,000 ft.
   
2. The F18 turns northeast at 200 mph and an elevation of 30,000 ft.
   
3. The F18 increases its speed to 220 mph at the same elevation.
   
4. The F18 continues flying at 220 mph at 30,000 ft.
   
5. The F18 drops to an elevation of 28,000 ft.
   
6. The F18 heads due east maintaining its speed and elevation.