A small fish is dropped by a pelican that is
rising steadily at 0.61 m/s.
After 3.2 s, what is the velocity of the fish?
The acceleration of gravity is 9.81 m/s2.
Answer in units of m/s
How far below the pelican is the fish after the
3.2 s?
Are we supposed to assume that the pelican is flying straight up? I have never seen a pelican do that.
yes
To find the velocity of the fish after 3.2 seconds, we can use the following equation:
Final velocity = Initial velocity + (Acceleration × Time)
In this case, the initial velocity of the fish is zero because it starts from rest. The acceleration is due to gravity and is constant at 9.81 m/s^2. The time is given as 3.2 seconds. Let's plug these values into the equation:
Final velocity = 0 + (9.81 × 3.2) m/s
Calculating the value:
Final velocity = 31.392 m/s
Therefore, the velocity of the fish after 3.2 seconds is 31.392 m/s.
To find how far below the pelican the fish is after 3.2 seconds, we can use the formula for distance fallen under constant acceleration:
Displacement = Initial velocity × Time + 0.5 × Acceleration × Time^2
In this case, the initial velocity is zero, as the fish starts from rest. The acceleration due to gravity is -9.81 m/s^2 (negative because it is acting downwards). The time is given as 3.2 seconds. Let's substitute the values into the formula:
Displacement = 0 × 3.2 + 0.5 × (-9.81) × (3.2)^2
Calculating the value:
Displacement = -50.176 m
Therefore, the fish is 50.176 meters below the pelican after 3.2 seconds.