what is its velocity (magnitude and direction) when the balloon just hits the water?

Question

Please explain:

A child drops a water balloon (starts at rest) from a bridge 12 meters above a creek below. How long does it take for the balloon to hit the water below? Also what is its velocity (magnitude and direction) when the balloon just hits the water?

Answer 1

Use the equation for distance d:

d = 1/2.a.t^2 + vt + d0

Here we have d0 = 0, d=12, v = 0, and a = g = 9.8 m/s^2

12 = 1/2x9.8xt^2
t = sqrt(24/9.8) = 1.56s