Question

If you accidentally drop a 50p coin (0.01kg) from the top of the shard (308m). How fast will it be travelling when it hits the ground?

Answer 1

`color(blue)(77.70ms^(-1)` 2 d.p.

Explanation:

The mass of the body has no relevance in free fall. Anything falling to Earth accelerates at the same rate ( in a vacuum ) `bbg`, this is the acceleration due to gravity.

We can solve this problem using the formula:

`v^2=u^2+2as`

Where:

`bbv= "final velocity"`

`bbu="initial velocity"`

`bba="acceleration"`

`bbs="distance"`

Before the coin is released, its velocity is zero.

The acceleration due to gravity is `~~9.8 ms^(-2)`

Distance is 308 m.

Plugging in these values.

`v^2=(0)^2+2(9.8)(308)=>v^2=6036.8`

`v=sqrt(6036.8)=77.70ms^(-1)` 2 d.p.