The speed of the arrow when it hits the base of the cliff is equal to the initial speed of 50 m/s.
To find the speed of the arrow when it hits the base of the cliff, we need to analyze the motion of the arrow during its upward and downward trajectory.
When the arrow is shot vertically upward, it experiences a constant acceleration due to gravity acting in the opposite direction.
This causes its speed to decrease until it reaches its maximum height and starts to fall back down.
At the maximum height, the arrow momentarily comes to a stop before accelerating downward.
Since the arrow is shot vertically, its initial vertical velocity is the same as the final vertical velocity when it hits the base of the cliff.
Therefore, the speed of the arrow when it hits the base of the cliff is equal to the initial speed of 50 m/s.