Question

1. a leaf falls off a tree and takes three seconds to reach the ground. what is the leafs acceleration in the y - direction?

Explanation:

Step1: Identify the motion

The leaf is in free - fall (assuming air resistance is negligible). The acceleration in free - fall near the Earth's surface in the y - direction (vertical direction) is constant.

Step2: Recall the acceleration due to gravity

The acceleration due to gravity near the Earth's surface, \(g=- 9.8\space m/s^{2}\) (negative because it acts in the downward direction which is the negative y - direction).

Answer:

\(-9.8\space m/s^{2}\)