Final answer:
The ball dropped from a tower 125 meters high would take approximately 5 seconds to reach the ground, given that there is no air resistance.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine how long it takes for the ball to strike the ground after being dropped from a tower 125 meters high, we can use the kinematic equation for motion under constant acceleration due to gravity neglecting air resistance:
s = ut + 0.5at2
where:
s = displacement (125 m)
u = initial velocity (0 m/s, since the ball is dropped from rest)
a = acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s2)
t = time in seconds
We have s = 125 m, u = 0 m/s, and a = 9.8 m/s2. Substituting these into the equation, we can solve for time t:
125 = 0 + 0.5 × 9.8 × t2
125 = 4.9t2
t2 = 125 / 4.9
t2 = 25.51
t = √25.51
t ≈ 5 seconds
Therefore, the correct answer is approximately 5 seconds (Option b).