1. **State the problem:** We need to find the time $t$ when the apple hits the ground. The height $y$ of the apple above the ground is given by the equation $$y = -16t^2 + 120$$ and the apple hits the ground when $y = 0$. 2. **Set up the equation:** To find the time when the apple hits the ground, set $$y = 0$$: $$0 = -16t^2 + 120$$ 3. **Solve for $t^2$:** $$16t^2 = 120$$ 4. **Show cancellation step:** $$\cancel{16}t^2 = \cancel{16} \times \frac{120}{16}$$ 5. **Simplify:** $$t^2 = \frac{120}{16} = 7.5$$ 6. **Take the square root:** $$t = \pm \sqrt{7.5}$$ 7. **Interpret the result:** Since time cannot be negative, we take the positive root: $$t = \sqrt{7.5} \approx 2.74$$ seconds. **Final answer:** It takes approximately **2.74 seconds** for the apple to hit the ground.