Question

Consider a gray squirrel falling out of a tree to the ground. (a) If we ignore air resistance in this case (only for the sake of this problem), determine a squirrel's velocity (in m/s) just before hitting the ground, assuming it fell from a height of 3.0 m

Answer 1

Answer: 7.66 8 m/s

Step-by-step explanation:

Since the squirrel fell out and it is not thrown, we assume the initial velocity is zero (
`V_(o)=0`). On the other hand, the squirrel only experiences the acceleration due gravity, which is constant and in the downward direction
`g=-9.8 m/s^(2)`. So, the following equation will be useful to find the squirrel's final velocity
`V_(f)`:

`{(V_(f))}^(2)={(V_(o))}^(2)-2gd`

Where
`d=3 m` is the height from which the squirrel fell

As
`V_(o)=0`:

`{(V_(f))}^(2)=-2gd`

Then:

`{(V_(f))}^(2)=-2(-9.8 m/s^(2))(3 m)`

`V_(f)=\sqrt{58.8 m^(2)/s^(2)}`

Finally:

`V_(f)=7.668 m/s`