Question

You are an engineer getting ready to go meet the mayor on the new building development project going on downtown. The mayor has concerns that the building has been built a lot taller than what it was supposed to be. As you stand on top of the building with the mayor, you realize that you forgot your tape measure (but you do have your cell phone). Using just your cell phone and your knowledge of kinematics equations (and maybe a nearby rock), you must impress the mayor with how smart you are and reassure him the building is the proper height. Explain how you could use your cell phone and a specific kinematic equation to estimate the height of the building.

A. Use the equation h = (1/2)gt^2 to measure the building's height by dropping a rock and timing its fall.
B. Use the equation h = vt + (1/2)at^2 to measure the building's height by throwing your phone upward.
C. Use the equation h = d/t to measure the building's height by measuring the distance to the ground.
D. Use the equation h = (1/2)at^2 to measure the building's height by tossing your phone and measuring its fall time.

Answer 1

You could use your cell phone and a specific kinematic equation to estimate the height of the building by using the equation
`\( h = (1)/(2)gt^2 \)` to measure the building's height by dropping a rock and timing its fall.

Therefore, correct answer is A. Use the equation
`\( h = (1)/(2)gt^2 \)` to measure the building's height by dropping a rock and timing its fall.

Step-by-step explanation:

To estimate the building's height without a tape measure, you can use the kinematic equation
`\( h = (1)/(2)gt^2 \)`. By dropping a rock from the top of the building and timing its fall with your cell phone, you can use this equation to calculate the height. This equation relates the height h to the acceleration due to gravity g and the time t it takes for the object to fall.

This approach demonstrates the practical application of physics concepts in real-world scenarios, emphasizing the importance of understanding kinematics in engineering and construction. It showcases problem-solving skills and resourcefulness in situations where traditional tools might not be available.

Therefore, correct answer is A. Use the equation
`\( h = (1)/(2)gt^2 \)` to measure the building's height by dropping a rock and timing its fall.