The diving from a cliff can be expressed in the equation H = Ho + vot - 1/2 g t^2 where vo as initial velocity is equal to zero since this is a free fall. g is equal to 32.2 ft/s2 as the acceleration due to gravity and Ho is equal to 40 feet. The expression now becomes H = 40- 16.1 t^2. When t is 1 second, H is equal to 23.9 feet. The total time of the diver is 0 = 40 - 16.1 t^2 or t equal to 1.58 seconds.