A water balloon was dropped from a high window and struck its target 1.1 seconds later. If the balloon left the person’s hand at –5 meters/sec, what was its velocity on impact?
A stone tumbles into a mineshaft and strikes bottom after falling for 4.2 seconds. How deep is the mineshaft?
To determine the velocity of the water balloon on impact, we need to use the concept of free fall. When an object is in free fall, it is only influenced by the force of gravity. In this case, the balloon was dropped from a high window, so we can assume that it fell vertically downwards.
First, we need to find the time it took for the balloon to reach the target. We are told that it took 1.1 seconds. Next, we need to find the acceleration due to gravity, which is approximately -9.8 m/s². The negative sign indicates that the acceleration is in the downward direction.
Using the equation of motion:
velocity = initial velocity + (acceleration × time)
We know that the initial velocity is -5 m/s (since it was dropped from the person's hand) and the time is 1.1 seconds. Plugging these values into the equation:
velocity = -5 m/s + (-9.8 m/s² × 1.1 s)
Simplifying further:
velocity = -5 m/s - 10.78 m/s
Therefore, the velocity of the water balloon on impact is approximately -15.78 m/s.
Note: The negative sign indicates that the velocity is in the downward direction.