Jump to content
  • entries
    42
  • comments
    47
  • views
    13,139

The Physics of Kicking a Cat

mathgeek15

Entry posted by mathgeek15

2,268 views

 Share

As most people know, I can't stand cats, and constantly joke about kicking them. So, I thought it would be appropriate if I did a blog post on it!!

I am by far not athletic, so top speed I could probably kick a soccer ball at 15 m/s or 33.354 mi/hr (This is the average low for kids 11-17 <_< ). I also don't kick at much of an angle, but for this we'll say 20 degrees.

So here's the math:

y- component:

height: ?

acceleration: 9.8

velocity initial: 15sin20= 5.13

velocity final: 0

time:?

vf= vo + at

0= 5.13 + -9.8t

5.13= 9.8t

t= .5235 --> Total Time: 1.047 seconds

Y= vot + .5at2

Y= 5.13(.5235) + .5(9.8)(.5235)2

Y= 2.686+ 1.343

Y= 4.028 meters --> 13.22 feet

x-component:

velocity: 15cos20= 14.10

time: 1.047

distance: ?

x= vt

x= 14.1(1.047)

x= 14.758 meters --> 48.42 feet

DANG! That's far. Now I wanna try this. Anyone got a cat I can borrow?

 Share

3 Comments

Recommended Comments

goalkeeper0

Very violent, but I have learned that cats end up at the wrong end of many physics demonstrations by now...I wonder why cats and not any other animals?

Link to comment
DavidStack

Hahaha well played Mr. Fullerton.  But this is pretty interesting!  I don't have a cat, but you can borrow one of my younger siblings I guess...

Link to comment
Guest
Add a comment...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×

Terms of Use

The pages of APlusPhysics.com, Physics in Action podcasts, and other online media at this site are made available as a service to physics students, instructors, and others. Their use is encouraged and is free of charge. Teachers who wish to use materials either in a classroom demonstration format or as part of an interactive activity/lesson are granted permission (and encouraged) to do so. Linking to information on this site is allowed and encouraged, but content from APlusPhysics may not be made available elsewhere on the Internet without the author's written permission.

Copyright Notice

APlusPhysics.com, Silly Beagle Productions and Physics In Action materials are copyright protected and the author restricts their use to online usage through a live internet connection. Any downloading of files to other storage devices (hard drives, web servers, school servers, CDs, etc.) with the exception of Physics In Action podcast episodes is prohibited. The use of images, text and animations in other projects (including non-profit endeavors) is also prohibited. Requests for permission to use such material on other projects may be submitted in writing to info@aplusphysics.com. Licensing of the content of APlusPhysics.com for other uses may be considered in the future.

APlusPhysics Books

APlusPhysics Books

×
×
  • Create New...