Question

What is the distance fallen for a freely falling object 1 s after being dropped from a rest position? What is the distance for a 4-s drop?

Answer 1

Distance traveled in 1 second after drop is 4.9 m

Distance traveled in 4 seconds after drop is 78.4 m

Explanation:

We have s = ut + 0.5at²

For a free falling object initial velocity u = 0 m/s and acceleration due to gravity, g = 9.8 m/s²

Substituting

                 s = 0 x t + 0.5 x 9.8 x t²

                 s = 4.9t²

We need to find distance traveled in 1 s and 4 s

Distance traveled in 1 second

                   s = 4.9 x 1² = 4.9 m

Distance traveled in 4 seconds

                   s = 4.9 x 4² = 78.4 m

Distance traveled in 1 second after drop = 4.9 m

Distance traveled in 4 seconds after drop = 78.4 m