You drop a stick from a height of 64 feet. How many seconds does your stick hit the ground?

Question

I just don't understand this at all. Please help.

Answer 1

If it is dropped from rest and if you ignore air resistance, the distance it falls is given by

 

y = (1/2)gt²

 

where g is the acceleration of gravity, and t is the time it takes to reach the ground.

 

g = 32 ft/s²

 

Set the distance equal to the height, and solve for t.

 

y = (1/2)gt²

 

t = √(2y/g) = √[2(64)/32] s = 2 seconds