Question

A scientist testing to see how a cat “always” lands on their feet drops a cat upside down out of a third story window at a height of 20 meters.  How long does the cat have to right itself?

Answer 1

Cat has 2.02 seconds to right itself.

Explanation:

Initial height of cat from ground = 20 meter.

We have equation of motion ,
`s= ut+(1)/(2) at^2`, s is the displacement, u is the initial velocity, a is the acceleration and t is the time.

In this the velocity of cat in vertical direction = 0 m/s, acceleration = acceleration due to gravity = 9.8
`m/s^2`, we need to calculate time when s = 20 meter.

Substituting

`20=0*t+(1)/(2) *9.8*t^2\\ \\ t = 2.02 seconds`

So, cat has 2.02 seconds to right itself.