What is the velocity of a car that falls off a cliff?

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SUMMARY

The problem involves calculating the horizontal velocity of a car that falls off a 53 m high cliff, landing 139 m from the base. The time taken for the fall is determined to be 3.29 seconds using the formula for vertical distance under gravity. The correct approach to find the horizontal velocity is to use the formula v = d/t, where d is the horizontal distance (139 m) and t is the time (3.29 s), resulting in a velocity of approximately 42.24 m/s.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of kinematic equations, specifically for vertical and horizontal motion.
  • Knowledge of gravitational acceleration (9.81 m/s²).
  • Familiarity with the concept of projectile motion.
  • Ability to manipulate and rearrange algebraic equations.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study kinematic equations for projectile motion in detail.
  • Learn how to derive time of flight for objects in free fall.
  • Explore the relationship between vertical and horizontal components of motion.
  • Practice solving similar physics problems involving free fall and horizontal motion.
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Maty
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Homework Statement



A car drives straight off the edge of a cliff that is 53 m high. The police at the scene of the accident note that the point of impact is 139 m from the base of the cliff. How fast was the car traveling when it went over the cliff?

Homework Equations



Distance=Acceleration*(Time^2) and any other distance, acceleration, velocity, time formulas.

The Attempt at a Solution



My attempt was to use the vertical distance and gravity to find the time it took to fall, and then somehow use that time (3.29s) to find the horizontal velocity. But I have no idea how to do that, and not even sure if I started it out right.
 
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Never mind, I had the right number (3.29s) but wrong idea. Just had to plug in that number in v=d/t to get the velocity... Durr.
 

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