- #1
chroncile
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Homework Statement
A skydiver's parachute has malfunctioned and she is falling at a constant speed of 20 m/s straight down. Fortunately there is an airbag directly below her. Unfortunately, it is not inflated. The switch to inflate the airbag is 30 m to the east of the airbag. If she can throw a wrench eastward with the right speed, it will accelerate down ahead of her (her speed is constant due to air resistance) and hit the switch, triggering the inflation of the airbag. She throws the wrench when she is 200 m above the ground.
How fast should she throw the wrench? [Note, the wrench will initially have a vertical velocity equal to that of the skydiver]
Homework Equations
vf2 = vi2 + 2ad
The Attempt at a Solution
⌂d = √(2002 + 302)
⌂d = 202.2
vf2 = vi2 + 2ad
vf2 = (20 m/s)2 + 2(-9.8)(202.2)
vf2 = 400 - 3963.85
The correct answer is 6.42 m/s