Airplane Acceleration Effects on Compass Reading

What effect does accelerating an airplane in the northern hemisphere have on the compass reading?

A) The compass will indicate a turn to the south

B) The compass will indicate a turn to the north

C) The compass will remain pointing east

Answer:

The correct answer is C) The compass will remain pointing east.

When accelerating an airplane in the northern hemisphere on an east heading, the compass will continue to point east. This is due to the inertia of the airplane's direction. The compass is designed to align with the Earth's magnetic field, so even when the airplane accelerates, the compass needle will maintain its orientation towards the magnetic north.

It's important to understand that the compass reading is relative to the Earth's magnetic field and not affected by the airplane's acceleration in this scenario. The compass is a reliable navigation tool for pilots to maintain their heading and direction during flight, regardless of any acceleration or speed changes.

In conclusion, accelerating an airplane in the northern hemisphere on an east heading will not cause the compass to indicate a turn to the south. The compass will continue to point east, providing accurate directional information for the pilot.