An eagle carrying a trout flies above a lake along a horizontal path. The eagle drops the trout from a height of 6.1 m. The fish travels 7.9 m horizontally before hitting the water.
What is the velocity of the eagle? Round your answer to the nearest tenth.
m/s

7.1 m/s

Explanation:

First, find the time it takes for the fish to reach the water.

Given in the y direction:

Δy = 6.1 m

v₀ = 0 m/s

a = 9.8 m/s²

Find: t

Δy = v₀ t + ½ at²

6.1 m = (0 m/s) t + ½ (9.8 m/s²) t²

t = 1.12 s

Next, find the velocity needed to travel 7.9 m in that time.

Given in the x direction:

Δx = 7.9 m

a = 0 m/s²

t = 1.12 s

Find: v₀

Δx = v₀ t + ½ at²

7.9 m = v₀ (1.12 s) + ½ (0 m/s²) (1.12 s)²

v₀ = 7.1 m/s