In order to open the clam it catches, a seagull will drop the clam repeatedly onto a hard surface from high in the air until the shell cracks. If a seagull flies to a height of 27 m, how long will the clam take to fall?

2 Answers
Jan 6, 2016

I found: 2.3s

Explanation:

The shell will fall with zero initial velocity (dropped) and under the action of acceleration of gravity g.
We can use:
color(red)(y_f-y_i=v_it+1/2*at^2)

0-27=0t-1/2*9.8t^2
t=sqrt((2*27)/9.8)=2.3s

Jan 6, 2016

2.3s (2sf), Assuming dropped from rest vertically with no air resistance.

Explanation:

Assuming that we are treating the clam as falling vertically from rest with no air resistance, the following should sort it:

Downwards is positive.

s=27m
u=0ms^-1
v=vms^-1
a=g=9.81ms^-2
t=?s

We are looking for t, and with the information we have, we don't need to worry about v.

Use the constant acceleration equation:
s=ut+1/2at^2

27=1/2(g)t^2

t^2=54/9.81

t=2.34618....s

t=2.3s (2sf)