Peregrine falcons dive practically straight down and can reach speeds of 100 m/s by the time they reach their prey (smaller birds).

Question

If all of the falcon's speed is coming from its initial potential energy, how high must the falcon be above its prey at the beginning of the dive in order to reach 100 m/s when it catches its prey?

Mass of an average male peregrine falcon in 0.91 kg

A) 7.0 meters

B) 55 meters

C) 510 meters

Answer 1

since PE = KE,
mgh = 1/2 mv^2
h = v^2/(2g)