Physics question?

Apparantly physics hates me. The tutoring lab opens later today, but class (and h/w) due before then. Can someone explain to me how this problem works?





A bird is flying horizontally with a constant speed of 2.70 m/s when it releases a clam from its beak. The clam lands on the rocky beach 2.10 s later. Just before the clam land, what is the (a) its horizontal component of velocity, and (b) its vertical component of velocity? (C) How would your answers to parts (a) and (b) change if the speed of the crow were increased? Explain.

Physics question?
a) We have to assume that air resistance is negligible.





The horizontal component of its velocity would remain constant at 2.70 m/s.





b) The vertical component of the velocity is given by v = u + at,


where v is the final velocity, u the initial velocity, a the acceleration due to gravity, 9.81 m/s/s, and t is the time taken, so





v = 0 + 9.81 x 2.1 m/sec (u = 0, effectively falling from rest)





v = 20.601 m/sec.





c)If the speed of the crow were increased, then only the horizontal component of the velocity will change. The vertical component would remain the same. Hope this helps, Twiggy.