What distance?

Question

A can of tuna is dropped from a building. If the can takes 3.2 seconds to strike the ground, what distance did it fall?

Answer 1

When solving any problem of this type it is helpful to use the following problem solving steps.

 

1) Write down what is known. *important*

 

V_i (initial velocity) = 0

t (time) = 3.2s

d = variable we are solving for

a (acceleration) = 9.8 m/s²

 

2) Which equation applies?

The correct formula will contain the known variables and only one unknown, which will be the variable we are solving for (d). 

 

 

The correct formula is d = v_i*t+1/2 at² because v_i=0, which makes the v₀*t term drop out, leaving us with d=1/2at²

 

3) Now for the easy part, plug in and solve.

d = 1/2*9.8*3.2²

The answer is 50.2m

 

 

Answer 2

d = (1/2)gt^2 = 4.9*3.2^2 = 50.2 m <==Answer

Answer 3

The equation for this is d=(gt²)/2. 

d= Distance

g= Gravitation Acceleration (which for earth is 9.807m/s/s)

t = Time

 

Then

d=(9.807*3.2²)/2

Then it simplifies to:

d=50.210048

Answer 4

Hey Sun -- 3.2s freefall gives Vf of 32m/s ... ave speed of 16m/s runs 3.2s

==> falls about 50m :)