Question

A hawk is flying due west at 10.1 m/s carrying a field mouse in its talons. The mouse manages to break free at a height of 15 m. What is the magnitude of the mouse's velocity as it reaches the ground? Note: neglect air resistance

Answer 1

When the mouse broke free from the hawk, its vertical velocity is zero since the mouse just fell from the grips of the hawk

We are given:

initial vertical velocity (v) = 0 m/s

initial horizontal velocity (u) = 10.1 m/s

height from the ground (h) = 15 m

acceleration due to gravity (a) = 10 m/s/s

final vertical velocity (vf) = v m/s

Solving for Final vertical velocity:

from the third equation of motion

(vf)² - (v)² = 2ah

replacing the variables

v² - 0² = 2(10)(15)

v² = 300

v = √300

v = 10√3 OR 17.3 m/s