Final answer:
The squirrel's final velocity just before hitting the lake from a 26-meter fall, assuming no air resistance, would be approximately 22.57 m/s, calculated using the free-fall formula √(2gh).
Step-by-step explanation:
To find the squirrel's final velocity as it falls off a bridge into a lake from a height of 26 meters, we can use the physics equation for objects in free fall without air resistance. The equation is v = √(2gh), where v is the final velocity, g is the acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s²), and h is the height. Plugging in the values, we get v = √(2 × 9.8 m/s² × 26 m).
Therefore, the squirrel's final velocity just before hitting the water would be v = √(509.6 m²/s²), which we can calculate to be approximately 22.57 m/s. It's important to note that the squirrel can swim, so upon hitting the water, its velocity would be dissipated.