This problem relates to the gliding flight of flying squirrels. These squirrels glide from tree to tree at a constant speed, moving in a straight line tipped below the vertical and steadily losing altitude as they move forward. Short and long glides have different profiles.
A squirrel in a typical long glide covers a horizontal distance of 16m while losing 8.0m of elevation. During this glide, what is the angle of the squirrel's path below the horizontal?
What is the total distance covered by the squirrel?