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In order to open the clam it catches, a seagul will drop the clam repeatedly onto a hard surface from high in the air until the shell cracks. If a seagull files to a height of 25 meter, how fast is the clam going when it hits the rocks below?

1 Answer

4 votes

Answer:

19.99 m/s when it hits the rocks below.

Explanation:

First, we need to find the time it takes for the clam to fall from a height of 25 meters. We can use the equation:

\[ h = \frac{1}{2} g t^2 \]

Where \( h \) is the height, \( g \) is the acceleration due to gravity (approximately 9.8 m/s^2), and \( t \) is the time.

Plugging in the values, we have:

\[ 25 = \frac{1}{2} \times 9.8 \times t^2 \]

Simplifying the equation, we get:

\[ t^2 = \frac{25 \times 2}{9.8} \]

\[ t^2 = \frac{50}{9.8} \]

\[ t \approx 2.04 \, \text{s} \]

Now, we can use the time and the height to find the velocity of the clam when it hits the rocks. We can use the equation:

\[ v = g t \]

Plugging in the values, we have:

\[ v = 9.8 \times 2.04 \]

\[ v \approx 19.99 \, \text{m/s} \]

Therefore, the clam is going approximately 19.99 m/s when it hits the rocks below.

User Benjamin Hackl
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