Free-fall acceleration problem?

Question

Raindrops fall 1700 m from a cloud to the ground. (a) If they were not slowed by air resistance, how fast would the drops be moving when they struck the ground?(b) would it be safe to walk outside during a rainstorm?

Answer 1

The final velocity of the raindrops is:

vf = (vi² + 2a∆x)^(1/2)

= (2 x 9.8 m/s² x 1700 m)^(1/2)

= 180 m/s

No, it would not be safe to walk outside during a rainstorm if there were no air resistance.