Answer:
The reach of the tongue is 23 cm.
Explanation:
Hi there!
The equation of traveled distance is the following:
x = x0 + v0 · t + 1/2 · a · t²
Where:
x = traveled distance at time t.
x0 = initial position.
v0 = initial velocity.
a = acceleration.
t = time.
Let´s calculate the distance traveled by the tongue of the chameleon during the first 20 ms (0.020 s):
The initial position and velocity are zero (x0 = 0 and v0 = 0)
x = 1/2 · a · t²
x = 1/2 · 280 m/s² · (0.020 s)²
x = 0.056 m
Now, let´s find the distance traveled while the tongue moves at constant speed. But first, let´s find the velocity (v) of the tongue after the accelertation interval using the following equation:
v = v0 + a · t (v0 = 0)
v = 280 m/s² · 0.020 s
v = 5.6 m/s
Then, the distance traveled at constant speed can be calculated:
x = v · t
x = 5.6 m/s · 0.030 s
x = 0.17 m
The reach of the tongue is 0.17 m + 0.056 m = 0.23 m = 23 cm.
