Question

a raindrop fell straight toward the ground at a constant velocity for 4.0 seconds. in that time, it fell 18 meters. while falling, the raindrop passed a leaf that was falling at 1 meter per second. what was the raindrops velocity? write your answer to the tenths place. meters per second straight toward the ground

Explanation:

Step1: Calculate the distance the raindrop fell while passing the leaf

The raindrop fell \(18\) meters in total. The leaf was falling at \(1\) meter per second. In \(4.0\) seconds, the leaf fell \(d_{leaf}=v_{leaf}\times t = 1\times4 = 4\) meters. So the distance the raindrop fell relative to the ground (excluding the leaf's fall) is \(d = 18 - 4=14\) meters.

Step2: Use the formula \(v=\frac{d}{t}\) to find the raindrop's velocity

We know \(d = 14\) meters and \(t = 4.0\) seconds. Using the formula \(v=\frac{d}{t}\), we substitute the values: \(v=\frac{14}{4}=3.5\) meters per second.

Answer:

\(3.5\) meters per second