James and John dive from an overhang into the lake below.James simply drops straight down from the edge.John takes a running start and jumps with an initial horizontal velocity of 25 m/s.Compare the time it takes each to reach the lake below if we neglect the effects of air.
A)James reaches the surface of the lake first.
B)John reaches the surface of the lake first.
C)James and John will reach the surface of the lake at the same time.
D)Cannot be determined without knowing the mass of both James and John.
E)Cannot be determined without knowing the weight of both James and John.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The time taken by each person to reach the lake is independent of their mass or weight. Both James and John are subjected to the same vertical acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s^2) and neglecting air resistance, they will follow the same trajectory. The horizontal velocity of John does not affect the time taken for him to reach the lake as it does not change his vertical acceleration. Therefore, both James and John will reach the surface of the lake at the same time.

James and John Dive from an Overhang into the Lake