(Physics) Finding Velocity and force

Question

A squirrel accidently falls out of a tree that is 1.3m above the snows surface. The mass of the squirrel is 0.12kg. The magnitude of the gravitational acceleration is 9.8 m/s^2.

A) How long does it take for the squirrel to reach the surface of the snow?

B) What is the velocity of the squirrel right before it hits the surface of the snow?

C) What constant force acts on the squirrel by the snow to stop the squirrels motion?

Answer 1

a) You can use your 1-d motion equations to solve for t here. You know a (9.8 m/s²), you know d = 1.3m, and you know that v_o = 0 m/s

1. d = v_o*t + 1/2 * a * t²

b) You can now use basically any motion equation with a v_f in it to find the squirrel's speed before they hit the snow. For example: v_f = v_o*t + 1/2 at²

c) I don't believe there's any way to know this, unless they're just asking for the name of a force. The snow provides a normal force, which acts straight upwards and must overpower gravity to stop the squirrel. The magnitude of this force will depend on the distance through the snow that the squirrel falls. A solid ground would provide a pretty high force, since it can't really compress very much. Snow, like cushions or airbags, can spread that force out over a longer distance, which is obviously better for the squirrel.