Question

Chameleons catch insects with their tongues, which they can rapidly extend to great lengths. In a typical strike, the chameleon's tongue accelerates at a remarkable 260 m/s2 for 20 ms, then travels at constant speed for another 30 ms. During this total time of 50 ms, 1/20 of a second, how far does the tongue reach?

Answer 1

Chameleon's tongue is more fast than thought. Its long sticky tongue moves at an amazing ballistic speed which lashes out unsuspecting insects and bugs. Now let us see how fast it is.

GIven:

acceleration of the chameleon's tongue- 260 m/s
2 for 20 ms
constant speed 30 ms
50 ms total time
1/20 of a second

solution:

260 =   n 
20       50
20 n = 13, 000
20            20
n= 650 m/s