Final answer:
A cheetah running after its prey has kinetic energy, which is energy due to motion. The energy transfer from prey like the warthog to the cheetah is inefficient, so it only gains a fraction of the energy. The cheetah's speed is facilitated by the specialized design of its limbs.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a cheetah is running along the ground chasing its prey, it possesses a type of energy known as kinetic energy. This is the energy that an object has due to its motion. As the cheetah accelerates and moves faster, its kinetic energy increases. The specific formula to calculate kinetic energy is 0.5 × mass × velocity2, which indicates that the energy is directly proportional to the square of the velocity.
Discussing the energy flow, if the cheetah is successful in capturing and eating its prey, for example, a warthog, it will gain energy. However, it will not gain all of the energy the warthog consumed throughout its life — only a fraction. This is due to the law of conservation of energy and the inefficiency of energy transfer between trophic levels. Energy is lost at each level due to metabolic processes and heat loss.
The remarkable speed of a cheetah can be attributed to its physique, especially the placement and structure of its limbs. Cheetahs are designed for sprinting, with long legs, a flexible spine, and non-retractable claws that give them additional grip, converting their muscular energy efficiently into rapid acceleration.