Question

A cliff diver jumps horizontally off of a cliff and lands in the water 2.3 seconds later. They land 3.7 meters from the cliff.

A. What was their initial velocity?
B. What is the height of the cliff?

Answer 1

The cliff diver's initial horizontally velocity was approximately 1.61 meters per second, and the height of the cliff from which the diver jumped was approximately 25.94 meters.

Step-by-step explanation:

To determine the cliff diver's initial velocity horizontally, we apply kinematic equations for horizontal motion. Since the only force acting on the diver after jumping horizontally is gravity, the horizontal velocity remains constant. Therefore, the velocity can be calculated by dividing the horizontal distance by time:

Initial velocity = distance / time = 3.7 meters / 2.3 seconds ≈ 1.61 m/s

To find the height of the cliff, we use the free-fall motion equation for vertical displacement:

Height of the cliff = 0.5 * g * t^2 (where g is acceleration due to gravity, 9.81 m/s^2, and t is time)

Height = 0.5 * 9.81 m/s^2 * (2.3 s)^2 ≈ 25.94 meters

The cliff diver's initial velocity was approximately 1.61 m/s, and the cliff's height was approximately 25.94 meters.