What is the Physics Behind a Cat's Jump?

[PlaneWryter]

Hello Physics Mavens,

Just watched one of my cats make two upward jumps; both with pinpoint accuracy.

(Cats are amazing creatures.)

One height was ~74cm above the floor; the other height ~81cm. He cleared both ledges by ~3cm and softly touched down on his paws at--what seems to be--near zero velocity.

In addition to being amazed by the accuracy of his internal computer...I wonder how one calculates the force he puts into each jump? Assuming there's a physics formula(s)--would you be so kind as to post an approach/solution?

CAT's weight: ~0.465kg
Height of First Ledge*: ~74cm
Height of Second Ledge*: ~81cm

*To clarify: He jumped from the floor to the first ledge...jumped back (down) to the floor...then jumped up to the second ledge--in this observation, he did not jump from the first ledge to the second.

If F = ma = gm; how much 'a' does he exert when leaving the ground such that his 'a' at (near) the desired height (+ ~3cm) approaches zero?

Also, is there a way to calculate the duration (time) of his jump?

Many, many thanks in advance.


Plane Wryter

 

[Matterwave]

In order to get a force, you need to know for how long he applies this force. All you can get from the information given is the impulse (with a lot of approximations).

You can use energy conservation to get the initial velocity he needs to attain to reach the heights required: [itex]\frac{1}{2}mv^2=mgh[/itex]. With this velocity, you know the change in momentum [itex]\Delta p = mv[/itex], and therefore the total impulse [itex]I=F_{tot}\Delta t=\Delta p[/itex]

 

[A.T.]

(Cats are amazing creatures.)

Yes, check also this out:
https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=537473

 

[Dr_Morbius]

Your cat only weighs 1 pound? How can a tiny kitten jump that high? My adult cat weighs 11 pounds.

 

[nucl34rgg]

Yes, check also this out:
https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=537473

Those videos were so hilarious. I was laughing for like 5 minutes. :D

 

[A.T.]

Those videos were so hilarious. I was laughing for like 5 minutes. :D

Then check out those:
http://www.theatlantic.com/video/archive/2011/09/can-an-astronaut-move-like-a-falling-cat/244829/