PRACTICE ANOTHERA rabbit is hopping along at an approximately constant speed of 4.2 m/s. The rabbit passes a crouched cat ready to chase the rabbit. The cat takes off the instant the rabbit passes the cat, accelerating at 0.5m/s2.How long does it take the cat to catch the rabbit

16.8 seconds

Explanation:

Given that:

Constant speed of rabbit = 4.2 m/s

Initial Velocity (u) of cat = 0

Acceleration (a) of cat = 0.5 m/s²

Time it takes cat to catch rabbit ;

Using the relation:

Distance moved by rabbit (Dr) :

Dr = speed * time ; Dr = 4.2t

Distance moved by Cat (Dc) :

Dc = ut + 0.5at^2

Dc = 0 + 0.5at^2

Hence, Cat will catch rabbit when Dr = Dc

4.2t = 0.5at^2

4.2t = 0.5(0.5)t^2

4.2t = 0.25t^2

Divide both sides by t

4.2 = 0.25t

t = 4.2 / 0.25

t = 16.8 seconds

Hence, the cat will catch the rabbit after 16.8 seconds