Understanding the Physics

* Free Fall: The ball is in free fall, meaning the only force acting on it is gravity. This results in a constant acceleration due to gravity (approximately 9.8 m/s²).

* Displacement: We need to find the distance traveled during the 3rd second, which is the difference in position between the end of the 2nd second and the end of the 3rd second.

Calculations

1. Displacement at the end of 2 seconds:

* Using the equation: d = v₀t + (1/2)at²

* d = displacement

* v₀ = initial velocity (0 m/s since the ball is dropped)

* t = time (2 seconds)

* a = acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s²)

* d = (0)(2) + (1/2)(9.8)(2)²

* d = 19.6 meters

2. Displacement at the end of 3 seconds:

* Using the same equation with t = 3 seconds:

* d = (0)(3) + (1/2)(9.8)(3)²

* d = 44.1 meters

3. Distance traveled in the 3rd second:

* Subtract the displacement at the end of 2 seconds from the displacement at the end of 3 seconds:

* 44.1 m - 19.6 m = 24.5 meters

Answer: The steel ball travels 24.5 meters during the 3rd second of its fall.