A flower pot falls from a third storey window, 17.0 m above a sidewalk. a) With what speed does the pot hit the path?
Answer
How to Calculate the Speed of a Falling Flower Pot
When an object falls freely under gravity from a certain height, we can calculate its speed just before it hits the ground using the basic kinematic equations of motion.
🔢 Given Data
Height from which pot falls, h = 17.0 m
Initial velocity, u = 0 m/s (since it falls from rest)
Acceleration due to gravity, g = 9.8 m/s²
📘 Step-by-Step Calculation
We use the kinematic equation:
v² = u² + 2gh
Since the pot starts from rest (u = 0):
v² = 2 × g × h
Now plug in the values:
v² = 2 × 9.8 × 17.0 = 333.2
Take square root to find final speed:
v = √333.2 ≈ 18.26 m/s
✅ Final Answer:
The flower pot hits the ground with a speed of approximately 18.26 meters per second.
Note: This calculation assumes no air resistance and that the motion is strictly vertical under constant gravity.