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

Answer:

2.63 m/s

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

$H = ut +\frac{1}{2}gt^2$

Since u = 0, the equation reduces to;

$H =\frac{1}{2}gt^2$, re-arrange this equation to obtain 't'

$t = \sqrt{\frac{2h}{g}}$

$t = \sqrt{\frac{2*1.2}{9.81}}$

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