Question
A boulder with a mass of 682 kg is resting on the edge of a 85 m cliff. If it falls off the cliff and lands on top of the coyote , what is its velocity as it strikes the ground?
Solution
4.6
(335 Votes)
Luke
Advanced · Tutor for 1 years
Answer
Here's how to calculate the boulder's velocity as it strikes the ground:**1. Identify the knowns:*** Initial velocity (v₀) = 0 m/s (since it starts at rest)* Acceleration due to gravity (g) = 9.8 m/s² (approximately)* Displacement (Δy) = -85 m (negative because it's falling downwards)**2. Choose the appropriate kinematic equation:**We can use the following equation, which relates final velocity (v), initial velocity (v₀), acceleration (g), and displacement (Δy):v² = v₀² + 2gΔy**3. Substitute the known values:**v² = (0 m/s)² + 2 * (9.8 m/s²) * (-85 m)v² = -1666 m²/s²**4. Solve for the final velocity (v):**v = √(-1666 m²/s²)Since we're dealing with velocity, which has a direction, we take the square root of the magnitude and consider the direction separately. The negative sign indicates the velocity is downwards.v ≈ -40.8 m/s**Answer:**The boulder's velocity as it strikes the ground is approximately -40.8 m/s, where the negative sign indicates the downward direction.