Question

The cheetah is one of the fastest-accelerating animals, because it can go from rest to 16.2 m/s (about 36 mi/h) in 2.4 s. If its mass is 102 kg, determine the average power developed by the cheetah during the acceleration phase of its motion. Express your answer in the following units.

Answer 1

Power of cheetah is 5576.85 W = 7.48 hp

Explanation:

Power is the ratio of energy to time.

Here we need to consider kinetic energy,

Mass, m = 102 kg

Initial velocity = 0 m/s

Final velocity = 16.2 m/s

Time, t = 2.4 s

Initial kinetic energy = 0.5 x Mass x Initial velocity² = 0.5 x 102 x 0² = 0 J

Final kinetic energy = 0.5 x Mass x Final velocity² = 0.5 x 102 x 16.2² = 13384.44 J

Change in energy = Final kinetic energy - Initial kinetic energy

Change in energy = 13384.44 - 0

Change in energy = 13384.44 J

Power = 13384.44  ÷ 2.4 = 5576.85 W = 7.48 hp

Power of cheetah is 5576.85 W = 7.48 hp