If a flea can jump straight up to a height of 0.490 m, what is its initial speed as it leaves the ground?

Question

A) If a flea can jump straight up to a height of 0.490 m, what is its initial speed as it leaves the ground? (Take the free fall acceleration to be g = 9.80 m/s^2)

B) How long is it in the air? (Take the free fall acceleration to be g = 9.80 m/s^2)

I need some help figuring this problem out. What formulas do I need to use? Thanks!

Answer 1

Since you slow down at 9.8 meters per seconds squared, it means that acceleration must be there still, even if you are going up. If there wasn't acceleration, the flea wouldn't stop going up. My clue to you, is that it takes the same time to go up as it takes to go down. Maybe you should start with how long it takes to fall ;] Once you figure that out you can solve for the starting velocity. Good luck mate.

Answer 2

I'm not going to do the homework for you except to advise your dog not to be there when the fleas start jumping