A series of parallel linear water wave fronts are traveling directly toward the shore at 15.5 cm/s on an otherwise placid lake.

Answer:

v = [√(g/2h)]L

Explanation:

Let v represent the initial horizontal speed, and t denote the duration James Bond takes to leap off the ledge of length, L.

Thus, we derive vt = L, which leads to t = L/v

Additionally, considering that Bond begins with no horizontal velocity, he descends freely over the height, h; thus the equation y - y' = ut - 1/2gt² is applicable, where y = 0 (top of the cliff) and y' = -h, u = 0 (initial vertical speed), g = acceleration due to gravity = 9.8 m/s², and t = the time required to leap from the cliff = L/v.

By substituting these parameters into the equation, we obtain

y' - y = ut - 1/2gt²

-h - 0 = 0 × t - 1/2g(L/v)²

-h  = - 1/2gL²/v²

v² = gL²/2h

taking the square root of both sides gives us

v = [√(g/2h)]L

Therefore, James Bond's required minimum horizontal velocity is v = [√(g/2h)]L