A student holds a water balloon outside of an open window and lets go. The window is 10 meters above the ground, and the balloon is falling under the acceleration of gravity, which is 9.8 m/s^2. There are two equations that cam be used to describe its motion over time:

Question

1. x = x0 + v0t + (1/2)at^2
2. v = v0 + at

Would the balloon hit the ground before or after 1.0 s of falling? Which equation did you use to decide, and what comparison did you make to determine that it would or would not hit the ground by then?

Use 3-5 sentences to explain your reasoning.

(I'm pretty sure it's the first equation, but I don't know what numbers to plug in where. I also don't understand the "what comparison did you make" part.)

Answer 1

yes ... 1st equation

plug in 1.0 s for t , and see how far the balloon has fallen

x is the distance fallen

x0 and v0 are zero ... the balloon starts from rest

a is gravitational acceleration

the comparison is between the starting height
... and the distance fallen in 1.0 s