Final answer:
The height equation for the seashell is h(t) = -16t^2 + 40. The seashell is in the air for approximately 1.58 seconds.
Step-by-step explanation:
The equation that models the height in feet of the seashell above water after t seconds can be written as:
h(t) = -16t^2 + 40
where h(t) represents the height of the seashell above water at time t.
To find how long the seashell is in the air, we need to find the time it takes for the height to reach 0. Since the shell is dropped from 40 feet, we set h(t) = 0 and solve for t:
-16t^2 + 40 = 0
Solving this equation, we get:
t = ±√2.5
Since time cannot be negative, we take the positive value of √2.5. Therefore, the seashell is in the air for approximately 1.58 seconds.