Question

if i drop a watermelon from the top of one of the tower dorms at csu and it takes 3.34 seconds to hit the ground calutulate how tall the building is in meters and the convert into feet

Answer 1

The simple formula for the distance dropped from rest is

               D  =  (1/2) x (gravity) x (time)² .

                   =  (1/2) x (9.8 m/s²) x (3.34 sec)²

                   =   (4.9 m/s²)  x  (11.16 sec²)  =  54.66 meters .

But I don't like to just drop a formula on you, if it can be worked out logically.  I think it's easier to understand if you go at it like this:

The acceleration of gravity on Earth is 9.8 m/s².  That means that
the falling object gains 9.8 m/s of downward speed every second.
After 3.34 seconds, the melon is falling at (3.34 x 9.8) = 32.73m/s.

Its average speed is (1/2) (0 + 32.73) = 16.37 m/s .

In 3.34 seconds, at an average speed of 16.37 m/s,
it falls
                   (16.37 m/s) x (3.34 sec)  =  54.66 meters .

At 3.28 feet/meter, that's   179.34 feet.

This solution is good for any fruit or vegetable at any school.
But whatever you drop, you have to ignore air resistance.
Otherwise it will take longer to fall, especially bananas and spinach.