A stuntman sitting on a tree limb wishes to drop vertically onto a horse galloping under the tree. The constant speed of the horse is 15.0 m/s, and the man is initially 2.45 m above the level of the saddle.

how long to fall 2.45 m

(1/2) 9.81 * t^2 = 2.45
t = .707 s

how far did the horse go?
15 * .707 = 10.6

Jump when the horse is 10.6 m away.

To calculate the time it takes for the stuntman to drop onto the horse, we can use the equation of motion for vertical motion:

h = ut + (1/2)gt^2

where:
h = initial vertical displacement (2.45 m)
u = initial vertical velocity (0 m/s)
g = acceleration due to gravity (-9.8 m/s^2)
t = time taken

Since the stuntman is initially at rest (u = 0), the equation simplifies to:

h = (1/2)gt^2

Substituting the given values:

2.45 = (1/2)(-9.8)t^2

Rearranging the equation to solve for t:

t^2 = (2.45 * 2) / 9.8
t^2 = 0.5
t = sqrt(0.5)

Using a calculator, we find that t ≈ 0.71 seconds.

Therefore, it will take approximately 0.71 seconds for the stuntman to drop vertically onto the horse galloping under the tree.

To calculate the distance the stuntman needs to drop vertically onto the horse, we can use the equation of motion:

s = ut + (1/2)at^2

where:
s = distance
u = initial velocity (0 m/s since the stuntman is initially at rest)
t = time taken to drop onto the horse
a = acceleration (in this case, due to gravity, it is approximately 9.8 m/s^2)

In the given scenario, we know that the stuntman needs to drop onto the horse while it is moving at a constant speed. Since the horse is moving horizontally, the vertical drop is independent of the horizontal motion. Hence, we can ignore the horizontal component and focus only on the vertical distance.

The vertical distance the stuntman needs to drop can be found by calculating the time it takes for him to drop from his initial position (2.45 m) to the level of the saddle (0 m).

Using the equation of motion, we can rearrange it to solve for time (t):

s = ut + (1/2)at^2
0 = (0)t + (1/2)(-9.8)t^2
0 = -4.9t^2

Since gravity acts in the downward direction, the acceleration due to gravity is negative. The equation simplifies to a quadratic equation:

t^2 = 0

This equation implies that the time taken to drop is zero. However, in reality, it means that the stuntman needs to drop instantly in order to land directly on the saddle.

Keep in mind that in a real-world scenario, it is practically impossible for a person to instantly drop onto a moving horse without any horizontal motion or preparatory action. Additionally, attempting this stunt without proper precautions and expertise is extremely dangerous.

Therefore, in this hypothetical scenario, the distance the stuntman needs to drop vertically onto the horse is 2.45 meters.