Final answer:
The height of the bridge where Charlie was standing is calculated using the kinematic equation for vertically thrown objects, resulting in 39.6 m, which corresponds to answer D) 39.6 m.
Step-by-step explanation:
Charlie, standing at the top of a bridge, throws a baseball straight down with an initial velocity of -10.0 m/s. We need to find the height of the bridge if it takes 2.00 s for the ball to hit the water below, given gravity's constant acceleration of -9.80 m/s2. We can use the following kinematic equation for vertically thrown objects to solve this problem: s = ut + ½ at2. Where: s is the displacement (height of the bridge in this case), u is the initial velocity, a is the acceleration due to gravity, and t is the time taken. Plugging in the given values: s = (-10.0 m/s)(2.00 s) + ½ (-9.80 m/s2)(2.00 s)2, s = -20.0 m + (-9.8 m/s2)(2.00 s)2, s = -20.0 m + (-19.6 m), s = -20.0 m -19.6 m, s = -39.6 m. The negative sign indicates the direction of the displacement (downward), so the height of the bridge where Charlie was standing is 39.6 m. Therefore, the correct answer is D) 39.6 m.