A cat chases a mouse across a 0.63 m high

table. The mouse steps out of the way, and

the cat slides off the table and strikes the floor

2.4 m from the edge of the table.

The acceleration of gravity is 9.81 m/s

2

.

What was the cat's speed when it slid off

the table?

Answer in units of m/s.

6.7 m/s

Explanation:

In the vertical direction:

y₀ = 0.63 m

y = 0 m

v₀ᵧ = 0 m/s

aᵧ = - 9.81 m/s²

In the horizontal direction:

x₀ = 0 m

x = 2.4 m

aₓ = 0 m/s²

Find: v₀ₓ

First, find the time:

y = y₀ + v₀ᵧ t + ½ aᵧt²

0 = 0.63 + (0) t + ½ (-9.81) t²

t = 0.358

Now, find the velocity:

x = x₀ + v₀ₓ t + ½ aₓt²

2.4 = 0 + v₀ₓ (0.358) + ½ (0) (0.358) ²

v₀ₓ = 6.70

Rounded to two significant figures, the cat's velocity when it slides off the table is 6.7 m/s.