Final answer:
To determine the flea's speed when it leaves the ground, one should apply the work-energy principle, equating the work done to the change in kinetic energy. The speed is found using the square root of 2 times the work done divided by the flea's mass. The distance the flea moves while pushing off is the work done divided by the average force exerted.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student is asking about the mechanics of a flea's jump, specifically the calculation of the flea's speed upon leaving the ground and the distance travelled during the jump, based on the work done by the force exerted during the push-off phase. To find the flea's speed, we must use the work-energy principle which states that the work done is equal to the change in kinetic energy. Given that the flea starts at rest, its initial kinetic energy is 0, and the work done on the flea is 2.6×10−4 J, the final kinetic energy is equal to the work done. Therefore, we can calculate the final velocity with the formula:
Kinetic Energy = ½ mv2
2.6×10−4 J = ½ × (1.7×10−4 kg) × v2
Speed, v = √(2 × (2.6×10−4 J) / (1.7×10−4 kg))
To calculate the distance the flea moves while pushing off, we can use the work done on the flea and the average force exerted:
Work = Force × Distance
2.6×10−4 J = 0.30 N × Distance
Distance = (2.6×10−4 J) / (0.30 N)