v² = u² + 2as
Where:
* v is the final velocity (what we want to find)
* u is the initial velocity (we'll assume the object starts from rest, so u = 0)
* a is the acceleration due to gravity (approximately 9.8 m/s²)
* s is the distance fallen (16 feet, which we need to convert to meters)
1. Convert feet to meters:
* 16 feet = 16 * 0.3048 meters ≈ 4.877 meters
2. Plug the values into the equation:
* v² = 0² + 2 * 9.8 * 4.877
* v² ≈ 95.6
3. Solve for v (final velocity):
* v ≈ √95.6
* v ≈ 9.78 m/s
Therefore, the object would be traveling at approximately 9.78 meters per second (or about 21.9 miles per hour) at the point of impact after falling 16 feet.
Important Note: This calculation assumes no air resistance. In reality, air resistance would slow the object down, resulting in a slightly lower impact velocity.
