Question

During a free fall Swati was accelerating at -9.8m/s2. After 120 seconds how far did she travel? Use the formula =1/2 * t2 to solve your answer. (Do not forget to keep units in your answer.)

Answer 1

I believe that formula is incomplete, if it is derived from the kinematic equations.

The full formula being $s=ut+\frac{1}{2}at^{2}$

where:

s is the displacement (or how far she travelled in your question)

u is the initial velocity, which I think can be assumed to be 0 m/s

t is the time taken which is 120 s

a is the acceleration due to gravity which points down in a negative y direction, which is -9.8 m/$s^{2}$

Since initial velocity, u, is assumed to be 0 m/s the equation becomes:

$s=\frac{1}{2}at^{2}$

Substitute in a = -9.8m/$s^{2}$  and t = 120 s and calculate your answer.

Tell me what you calculate the answer to be (don't forget units) and I'll let you know if it's right.

Answer 2

The answer would be

70560m