A pelican flying along a horizontal path drops a fish from a height of 5.4m. The fish travels 8.0 m horizontally before it hits the water below. What was the pelican's speed?

Answer 1

Calculate the time, t sec., it takes to free-fall from rest over 5.4 m.
You can use:
S=ut+(1/2)gt²
where S=distance, u=initial vertical speed=0, and g=acceleration due to gravity.
Divide 8 m/t sec. to get the horizontal speed.

Answer 2

The pelican was going 7.6 m/s

Answer 3

A pelican flying along a horizontal path drops
a fish from a height of 5.4 m. The fish travels
8.9 m horizontally before it hits the water
below.
What was the pelican’s initial speed? The
acceleration of gravity is 9.81 m/s
2
.
Answer in units of m/s.