Mike Powell holds the record for the long jump of 8.95 m, established in 1991. If he left the ground at an angle of 18.8°, what was his initial speed (in m/s)?

12 m/s

Explanation:

Projectile Motion

It's also known as 2D motion because the movement takes place in both axis x and y. The x-axis motion is at a constant speed since in absence of friction, no external force stops or accelerates the object. The y-axis motion is at variable speed, which is changed by the acceleration of gravity that makes the object to reach a maximum height and then go back to ground level.

The maximum horizontal distance reached (also called Range) is given by

Knowing that , we solve for Vo

Thus, the initial speed of Mike Powell was 12 m/s

an energy transformation flow diagram is shown

where is it ?

in physics zero. in muscle fatigue could be high