To determine the speed at which the Titanic was traveling when it hit the bottom of the ocean, we need to make a few assumptions and calculations.
Assuming that the Titanic sank vertically and came to a stop upon hitting the ocean floor, we can use basic principles of physics to estimate its final velocity.
Let's assume that the Titanic's descent was not impeded by any significant external forces (such as currents or water resistance), and that it fell freely under the influence of gravity alone. This is a simplified assumption but can provide a rough estimate.
Using the equation of motion under constant acceleration, we can calculate the final velocity (v) using the initial velocity (u), acceleration (a), and displacement (s):
v^2 = u^2 + 2as
In this case, the initial velocity is zero because we assume the Titanic started from rest. The acceleration is the acceleration due to gravity, approximately 9.8 m/s^2. The displacement is the distance the Titanic sank, which is 12,000 ft or approximately 3,658 meters.
Plugging these values into the equation, we have:
v^2 = 0 + 2 * 9.8 * 3,658
v^2 = 71,518.4
v ≈ √71,518.4
v ≈ 267.4 m/s
Therefore, the estimated final velocity of the Titanic when it hit the bottom of the ocean would be approximately 267.4 meters per second or roughly 874 feet per second.
It's important to note that this estimation assumes idealized conditions and does not account for various factors like water resistance, currents, or other forces that could affect the actual speed at which the Titanic reached the ocean floor.