3. A car drives horizontally off of a cliff that is 40 meters tall and lands 65 meters from the base of

the cliff. What was the initial velocity of the car?

23 m/s

Explanation:

First, find the time it takes for the car to fall 40 meters.

y = y₀ + v₀ t + ½ at²

0 = 40 + (0) t + ½ (-9.8) t²

0 = 40 - 4.9 t²

t = 2.89 s

Next, find the velocity needed to travel 65 meters in that time.

x = x₀ + v₀ t + ½ at²

65 = 0 + v₀ (2.89) + ½ (0) (2.89) ²

v₀ = 22.75 m/s

Rounding to two significant figures, the car's initial speed was 23 m/s.