A cat chases a mouse across a 1.5 m high
table. The mouse steps out of the way, and
the cat slides off the table and strikes the floor
1.2 m from the edge of the table.
What was the cat’s speed when it slid off
the table? The acceleration of gravity is
9.81 m/s
2
.
Answer in units of m/s.
h = 0.5g*t^2 = 1.5 m.
4.9t^2 = 1.5.
t^2 = 0.31.
t= 0.553 s. = Fall time.
Dx = Xo*t = 1.2 m.
Xo*0.533 = 1.2
Xo = 2.17 m/s.
To find the cat's speed when it slid off the table, we can use the principles of physics related to motion and gravity.
Let's break down the problem into steps:
Step 1: Find the time it takes for the cat to fall from the table to the floor.
We can use the formula for the time of free fall:
h = (1/2) * g * t^2
Where:
h = height (1.5 m)
g = acceleration due to gravity (9.81 m/s^2)
t = time
Rearranging the formula to solve for t:
t^2 = (2h) / g
Substituting the given values:
t^2 = (2 * 1.5 m) / 9.81 m/s^2
Simplifying:
t^2 = 0.305 m / m/s^2
t^2 = 0.305 s^2
t = √(0.305 s^2)
t ≈ 0.553 s
Step 2: Find the horizontal distance traveled by the cat.
Since the cat slides off the table horizontally, the distance is given as 1.2 m.
Step 3: Calculate the cat's speed when it slid off the table.
Using the equation for speed:
Speed = Distance / Time
Speed = 1.2 m / 0.553 s
Calculating:
Speed ≈ 2.17 m/s
Therefore, the cat's speed when it slid off the table is approximately 2.17 m/s.