Question

A cat chases a mouse across a 1.2 m high table. The mouse steps out of the way, and the cat slides off the table and strikes the floor 1.3 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/s2 .
Answer in units of m/s.

Answer 1

i think it is 7.5 m/s but im not entirely sure

Answer 2

2.63 m/s

Step-by-step explanation:

Step 1: identify the given parameters

height, H = 1.2 m

horizontal distance, d = 1.3 m

initial velocity, u = 0 m/s

acceleration due to gravity, = 9.81 m/s²

time, t = ?

the cat's speed, v = ?

Step 2: calculate the time it took the cat to reach a height of 1.2 m

`H = ut +(1)/(2)gt^2`

Since u = 0, the equation reduces to;

`H =(1)/(2)gt^2`, re-arrange this equation to obtain 't'

`t = \sqrt{(2h)/(g)} \\`

`t = \sqrt{(2*1.2)/(9.81)} \\`

t = 0.495 s

Step 3: calculate the speed it took the cat to reach horizontal distance of 1.3m

d = v*t

v = d/t

v = 1.3/0.495

v = 2.63 m/s