Final answer:
The speed of the fish 2.8 seconds after it is dropped is -27.44 m/s (downward direction).
Step-by-step explanation:
To find the speed of the fish 2.8 seconds after it is dropped, we need to consider the vertical motion of the fish. Since the fish is dropped, its initial vertical velocity is zero. The acceleration due to gravity is 9.8 m/s². Using the equation v = u + at, where v is the final velocity, u is the initial velocity, a is the acceleration, and t is the time, we can calculate the velocity of the fish after 2.8 seconds.
Let's assume the positive direction is upward. Thus, the acceleration due to gravity is negative (-9.8 m/s²). The equation becomes:
v = 0 + (-9.8 m/s²) * 2.8 s
Solving this equation, we find that the speed of the fish 2.8 seconds after it is dropped is -27.44 m/s (negative sign indicates downward direction).