Final answer:
The physics problem involves dropping a can of Coke from a moving car at 60 mi/h and calculating the impact speed, which requires applying principles of conservation of energy and motion dynamics. The can's vertical drop converts its potential energy into kinetic energy, while the car’s horizontal motion gives horizontal velocity to the can.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question involves a physical scenario where a can of Coke is dropped from a moving car, ignoring the effects of air friction. It is essentially a physics problem since we deal with concepts like potential energy, kinetic energy, and motion. Calculating the speed with which the can strikes the ground requires an understanding of the principles of energy conservation and motion.
To solve this, we need to apply the law of conservation of energy for the can’s vertical motion and dynamics for its horizontal motion. As the can drops from a height, its potential energy is converted into kinetic energy. Using the formula for gravitational potential energy, PE = mgh, and kinetic energy, KE = 0.5mv^2, we can calculate the speed just before the can hits the ground when dropped from a height of 3.5 feet. Considering the car is moving horizontally at 60 mi/h, the can will also have this horizontal component of velocity.
Therefore, the final velocity of the can when it reaches the ground will be a combination of the horizontal velocity inherited from the car and the vertical velocity obtained during the free fall. The overall trajectory of the can will be parabolic, typical in projectile motion.