Question

If a squirrel falls off a bridge (into a lake - and he can swim!) what is his final velocity if he falls 26 meters?

a) 18 m/s
b) 13 m/s
c) 9.8 m/s
d) 0.5 m/s

Answer 1

The final velocity of the squirrel, given that he falls 26 m from the bridge is 22.54 m/s (None of the option)

How to calculate the final velocity of the squirrel?

The final velocity of the squirrel can be calculated by doing the following:

1. Calculate the time taken for the squirrel to fall. This is shown below:

• Height of bridge (h) = 30.64 m
• Acceleration due to gravity (g) = 9.8 m/s²
• Time taken (t) = ?

`t = \sqrt{(2H)/(g)}\\ \\t = \sqrt{(2\ *\ 26)/(9.8)} \\\\t = 2.3\ s`

2. Calculate the final velocity of the squirrel. Details below:

• Initial velocity of squirrel (u) = 0 m/s
• Acceleration due to gravity (g) = 9.8 m/s²
• Time taken (t) = 2.3 s
• Velocity of squirrel (v) =?

v = u + gt

v = 0 + (9.8 × 2.3)

v = 0 + 22.54

= 22.54 m/s

None of the option given is correct