Final answer:
To find the distance below the platform the man should aim to strike the apple before it hits the ground, calculate the time it takes for the apple to fall to the ground from the platform using the equation of motion. Then, find the distance the apple falls in the reflex delay time of the man. The man should aim at a distance of 0.0462 meters below the platform to hit the apple before it hits the ground.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine the distance below the platform that the man should aim to strike the apple before it hits the ground, we need to calculate the time it takes for the apple to fall to the ground from the platform. We can use the equation of motion, s = ut + 0.5at^2, where s is the distance, u is the initial velocity, t is the time, and a is the acceleration.
First, we need to find the time it takes for the apple to fall to the ground. Since the apple is dropped, its initial velocity is 0 and the acceleration due to gravity is -9.8 m/s^2 (negative because it is in the downward direction).
Using the equation v = u + at, where v is the final velocity, u is the initial velocity, a is the acceleration, and t is the time, we can find the time it takes for the apple to fall to the ground:
v = u + at
0 = 0 + (-9.8)t
t = 0
The time it takes for the apple to fall to the ground is t = 0 seconds.
Next, we need to find the distance the apple falls in 215 milliseconds (or 0.215 seconds). Using the equation s = ut + 0.5at^2:
s = 0 + 0.5(-9.8)(0.215)^2
s = 0.0462 meters
Therefore, the man should aim at a distance of d = 0.0462 meters below the platform to strike the apple before it hits the ground.