A bird is flying with a speed of 18.0 m/s over water when it accidentally drops a 2.00 kg fish. if the altitude of the bird is 5.40 m and friction is disregarded, what is thw speed of the fish when it hits the water?

In the given question there are several important information's provided and based on them the required answer can be easily deduced. Firstly the speed of the bird is 18.0 m/s. Then we also come to know that the weight of the fish is 2 kg. Altitude at which the bird is flying is 5.40 m. Also there are no frictional forces to be considered. Then:

Horizontal component (Vx) = 18 m/s

Vertical component (Vy) = sqrt (2 * g * h) where sqrt means square root.

Height (h) = 5.40 m

Gravity (g) = 9.8 m/s^2

Now we have to put all the known information's in the equations to deduce the actual solution.

Vy = sqrt (2 * 9.8 * 5.40) m/s

= sqrt (105.84) m/s

= 10.28 m/s

Now to find the speed of the fish when it hits water:

V = sqrt (Vx^2 + Vy^2)

= sqrt (324 + 105.84)

= sqrt (429.84)

= 20.73 m/s

So the velocity or speed of the fish when hitting the water is 20.73 m/s