Question

A hailstone falls from a cloud at a height of 1,600 ft. If the equation for height as a function of time is h(t) = -16t2 + initial height where t is time in seconds and h(t) is height in feet, how many seconds will it take for the hailstone to hit the ground? [?] seconds ​

Answer 1

10 seconds

Explanation:

Answer 2

10 seconds

Explanation:

The function is

`h(t)=-16t^2+\text{Initial height}`

Initial height = 1600 ft

t = Time taken

`0=-16t^2+1600`

`\Rightarrow -16t^2=-1600`

`\Rightarrow t^2=(1600)/(16)`

`\Rightarrow t^2=100\\\Rightarrow t=\pm 10`

So, time taken by the hailstone to reach the ground is
`10\ \text{seconds}`.