Question

Total energy of an aircraft is defined as ____________

(a) sum of the potential and kinetic energy

(b) total kinetic energy only

(c) total potential energy only

(d) product of kinetic and potential energy

This question was addressed to me in an online quiz.

The question is from Flight Mechanics topic in section Performance and Flight Mechanics of Aircraft Design

Answer 1

Correct choice is (a) sum of the potential and kinetic energy

To explain I would say: At any given point in time, the total energy of the aircraft or energy state of an aircraft is the sum of the potential energy and kinetic energy. Kinetic energy is equal to half of product of mass and square of velocity.