Question

A cylinder containing a vaccine is dropped from a helicopter hovering at a height of 200 m above the ground. The acceleration due to gravity is 10 m/s^2. Calculate the speed at which the cylinder will hit the ground.

A) 20 m/s
B) 40 m/s
C) 60 m/s
D) 80 m/s

Answer 1

The speed at which the cylinder will hit the ground is approximately 63.25 m/s. However, from the given options, the closest correct answer is 60 m/s (Option C).

Step-by-step explanation:

To calculate the speed at which the cylinder will hit the ground when dropped from a helicopter at a height of 200 m, we can use the formula derived from the equations of motion for uniformly accelerated motion (in this case, the acceleration due to gravity):

v² = u² + 2as

Where:

• v is the final velocity (the speed we want to find),
• u is the initial velocity (0 m/s since the cylinder is dropped),
• a is the acceleration due to gravity (10 m/s²),
• s is the distance (height from which the cylinder is dropped, in this case, 200 m).

Substituting the known values into the equation, we get:

v² = 0² + 2(10 m/s²)(200 m)

v² = 4000 m²/s²

v = √(4000 m²/s²)

v = 63.25 m/s

The final velocity v is approximately 63.25 m/s, but since we're asked to choose from given options (A, B, C, D), the closest correct answer is C) 60 m/s.