Final answer:
The height of the cliff is approximately 352.525 meters.
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate the height of the cliff, we can use the equation of motion for an object falling freely under the influence of gravity:
h = (1/2) * g * t^2
where h is the height of the cliff, g is the acceleration due to gravity (approximately 9.8 m/s^2), and t is the time taken for the stone to hit the ground.
Plugging in the values given in the question:
h = (1/2) * 9.8 * (8.5)^2
h = 0.5 * 9.8 * 72.25
h = 352.525 m
Therefore, the height of the cliff is approximately 352.525 meters.