Given data:
Time taken by the stone before hitting the water;
![t=3.0\text{ s}](https://img.qammunity.org/2023/formulas/physics/college/fm4jztm0k6ri4lpz5gymh4mnu1486nh4sd.png)
Initial velocity of the stone;
![u=0](https://img.qammunity.org/2023/formulas/physics/college/e7q6xr032vxomsilp3q85gp3364rkxuq6x.png)
The distance covered by the stone before hitting the water is given as,
![s=ut+(1)/(2)gt^2](https://img.qammunity.org/2023/formulas/physics/college/zrfbr05jiwf19wsrxvhc5hgfq6oph3kl79.png)
Here, g is the acceleration due to gravity.
Substituting all known values,
![\begin{gathered} s=(0)*(3\text{ s})+(1)/(2)*(9.8\text{ m/s})*(3\text{ s})^2 \\ =44.1\text{ m} \\ \approx44\text{ m} \end{gathered}](https://img.qammunity.org/2023/formulas/physics/college/co2kni0x8r945aafh8u9fm630gayu3y3md.png)
Therefore, the stone travelled a distance of 44 meters before hitting the wat