A diver begins at sea level and descends vertically at a rate of 2 1/2 feet per second. How long does the diver take to reach -15.6 feet?

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Answer 1 · 2016-11-01T02:17:03

It takes the diver 6.24 seconds to reach the depth of -15.6 feet.

The formula for depth for a diver descending at a constant rate is:

#d = s + r*t# where #d# is the new depth, #s# is the starting depth, #r# is the rate of change and #t# is the time.

So substituting for what we know:

#-15.6 = 0 + -2.5t#

#-15.6 = -2.5t#

#(-15.6)/-2.5 = (-2.5t)/-2.5#

#t = 6.24#