Question

A 480 g peregrine falcon reaches a speed of 69 m/s in a vertical dive called a stoop. If we assume that the falcon speeds up under the influence of gravity only, what is the minimum height of the dive needed to achieve this speed?

Answer 1

Answer:

elevation = 243[m]

Explanation:

This problem can be solved using the principle of energy conservation, where potential energy becomes kinetic energy. At the point where the speed is equal to 69 [m / s] will be taken as the reference point for potential energy, at this point all potential energy will have been transformed into kinetic energy.

$Ek= 0.5*m*v^{2} \\where:\\m = mass = 480[g] = 0.480[kg]\\v = velocity = 69 [m/s]\\Ek=0.5*.480*(69)^{2} \\Ek=1142.64[J]$

So this kinetic energy will be equal to the potential energy at the beginning.

$Ek=Ep\\Ep=m*g*h\\1142.64=0.480*9.81*h\\h=242.66[m]$

The falcon was originally at 243 [m] above the point (reference point) where he reached the speed given.