For its size, the common flea is one of the most accomplished jumpers in the animal world.
Question:
For its size, the common flea is one of the most accomplished jumpers in the animal world. A 2.0-mm-long, 0.50-mg critter can reach a height of 20 cm in a single leap.
(a) Neglecting air drag, what is the takeoff speed of such a flea?
(b) Calculate the kinetic energy of this flea at takeoff and its kinetic energy per kilogram of mass.
(c) If a 65-kg, 2.0-mtall human could jump to the same height compared with his length as the flea jumps compared with its length, how high could the human jump, and what takeoff speed would he need?
(d) In fact, most humans can jump no more than 60 cm from a crouched start. What is the kinetic energy per kilogram of mass at takeoff for such a 65-kg person?
(e) Where does the flea store the energy that allows it to make such a sudden leap?
Step by Step Answer:
University Physics with Modern Physics
ISBN: 978-0321696861
13th edition
Authors: Hugh D. Young, Roger A. Freedman, A. Lewis Ford