Here's a formula that tells the distance covered by an
accelerating object starting from rest. The formula is
very useful, and it's simple enough to memorize:
Distance = (1/2) (acceleration) (time squared) .
If the object is falling, then the acceleration is gravity, 9.8 m/s²,
and the distance is
(4.9) (time²) .
In this question,
D = (4.9) (8²)
= (4.9 x 64) = 313.6 meters.
Coupla comments:
-- This calculation ignores air resistance.
We kind of ALWAYS do that, otherwise
the calculation would be very complicated,
and would need a lot of other numbers
that we don't know, like the size and shape
of the falling object, and the density of the air.
-- This is a very big building ... about 1,029 feet.
In New York City, the Chrysler building and
the New York Times building are both only
15 feet taller than that.
