Knowing that at the time of the release the balloon was 73.8 m above the ground, determine the time, τ, it takes the bag to reach the ground from the moment of its release.

Answer 1

Using the kinematics equation for displacement of an object under constant acceleration, d = v0t + 1/2 at^2 (where d is distance, v0 initial velocity, a acceleration, t time), we can solve for t.

This equation looks like: t = √(2d/a)
(v0t drops out since it is 0 at moment of release)

Assuming Earth gravity acceleration is 9.80 m/s^2, t = √((2(73.8)/9.80) = 3.88 s