A Supersonic Waterfall Geologists have learned of periods in the past when the S

Question

A Supersonic Waterfall Geologists have learned of periods in the past when the Strait of Gibraltar closed off, and the Mediterranean Sea dried out and become a desert. Later, when the strait reopened, a massive saltwater waterfall was created. According to geologists, the water in this waterfall was supersonic; that is, it fell with speeds in excess of the speed of sound. Ignoring air resistance, what is the minimum height necessary to create a supersonic waterfall? (The speed of sound may be taken to be 340 m/s.) Express your answer using two significant figures.

Explanation / Answer

v^2 = v0^2 + 2 a y

starts from 0 so

340^2 = 2*9.81*y

y = 340^2/(2*9.81)=5892 m

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