Final answer:
Lois's instantaneous speed when Superman catches her after falling for 9 seconds is 88.2 m/s, and the distance she fell is 396.9 meters. If she jumped from a standstill, her speed before hitting the water would be the same.
Step-by-step explanation:
When Lois falls for approximately 9 seconds, assuming the acceleration due to gravity is 9.8 m/s², we can calculate her instantaneous speed using the equation V = at, where V is the speed, a is the acceleration, and t is the time. Substituting the values, we get V = 9.8 m/s² × 9 s, which equals 88.2 m/s. To calculate the distance she fell, we can use the equation S = (1/2)at², which gives us S = (1/2) × 9.8 m/s² × (9 s)², resulting in a distance of 396.9 meters. In case she jumps off the cliff without any initial speed, her speed before she hits the water would be the same as the instantaneous speed calculated for a free fall over the same duration.