An air-traffic controller observes two aircraft on his radar screen. the first is at altitude 850 m, horizontal distance 19.1 km, and 25.5° south of west. the second aircraft is at altitude 1300 m, horizontal distance 17.6 km, and 15.0° south of west. what is the distance between the two aircraft? (place the x axis west, the y axis south, and the z axis vertical.)

s = 3.69 km

Explanation:

given,

altitudes of the aircraft

h₁ = 0.85 km , h₂ = 1.3 km

position vector of the first plane is

position vector of the second plane is

net displacement is

  =

 =

magnitude is

s = 3.69 km

potential energy is directly proportional to height.

more height = more potential energy.

greatest increase in height = greatest increase in potential energy

where are the points with the greatest increase in height ?

has to be c-e or d-e .