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When jumping, a flea accelerates at an astounding 1000 m/s², but over only the very short distance of 0.50 mm. If a flea jumps straight up, and if air resistance is neglected, how high does the flea go?

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Final answer:

The flea reaches a height of approximately 0.00507 meters when it jumps straight up with an acceleration of 1000 m/s² over a distance of 0.50 mm.

Step-by-step explanation:

Given that the flea accelerates at 1000 m/s² over a distance of 0.50 mm, we can use the kinematic equation to find the final velocity:

v² = u² + 2as

Where v is the final velocity, u is the initial velocity (which is 0 since the flea jumps straight up), a is the acceleration, and s is the distance.

Plugging in the values, we have:

v² = 0 + 2(1000)(0.50x10^-3)

Simplifying, we get:

v² = 0.001

Taking the square root of both sides, we find that the final velocity (v) is approximately 0.0316 m/s.

Next, we can use the equation for vertical motion to find the height the flea reaches:

v² = u² + 2as

Where v is the final velocity, u is the initial velocity, a is the acceleration due to gravity (approximately 9.8 m/s²), and s is the height.

Plugging in the values, we have:

(0.0316)² = 0 + 2(-9.8)s

Simplifying, we get:

s = 0.00507 m

Therefore, the flea reaches a height of approximately 0.00507 meters.

User Erik Thysell
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