Dropping a package with initial velocity

AI Thread Summary
A helicopter ascends at 5.30 m/s when a package is dropped from 100 meters. The time taken for the package to reach the ground is calculated using the equation xf = x0 + v0t + ½(at²), yielding a result of 5.09 seconds. An alternative method using vf² = v0² + 2aΔx incorrectly led to a time of 4.09 seconds due to a calculation error in subtraction. The discrepancy highlights the importance of careful arithmetic in physics problems. The correct approach confirms that the package takes approximately 5.09 seconds to hit the ground.
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Homework Statement


A helicopter is ascending vertically with a speed of 5.30m/s . At a height of 100m above the Earth, a package is dropped from a window. How much time does it take for the package to reach the ground? [Hint: v0 for the package equals the speed of the helicopter.]

Homework Equations


1) vf2 = v02 + 2aΔx
2) vf = v0 + at
3) xf = x0 + v0t + ½(a)t2
4) Quadratic Formula

The Attempt at a Solution


Using the third equation with Δx = xf - x0 = -100, v0 = 5.3 m/s and acceleration = -9.81, and the quadratic formula, I get the right answer of t = 5.09 seconds. However, I don't get why this other logical method does not work. Using equation one, I substitute v0 with 5.3, a with -9.81 and Δx with -100. This leads to vf2 = 5.32 + 2(-9.8)(-100). vf = -44.598 m/s. Plugging this value into the second equation I get -44.58 = 5.3 - 9.8t. t equals 4.09 seconds. What did I do wrong?
 
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\frac{44.58+5.3}{9.8}=5.09 seconds
 
Thank you so much! I see: I subtracted incorrectly
 
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