Physics and Astronomy Outreach Program at the University of British Columbia Physics and Astronomy Outreach Program at the University of British Columbia Lecture Notes Animals Falling Cats

Physics and Astronomy Outreach Program at the University of British Columbia Physics and Astronomy Outreach Program at the University of British Columbia Physics: Develop concept of air drag and investigate how it affects free fall and results in a terminal velocity. Biology: To understand how air drag partially explains why cats sustain less damages after a free fall than a human. Falling Cats Goals

Physics and Astronomy Outreach Program at the University of British Columbia Physics and Astronomy Outreach Program at the University of British Columbia Physics: Air resistance determines a terminal velocity which depends on cross-sectional area and mass. Biology: Cats have a different cross- sectional area and mass than humans. Falling Cats Big Ideas

Physics and Astronomy Outreach Program at the University of British Columbia Physics and Astronomy Outreach Program at the University of British Columbia A drag force exists opposite to the motion due to air resistance Falling Cats Drag = cross-sectional area = density of air = 1.29 kg/m 3 = speed = drag coefficient  0.5

Physics and Astronomy Outreach Program at the University of British Columbia Physics and Astronomy Outreach Program at the University of British Columbia A falling object experiences the force of gravity and drag. Falling Cats Drag

Physics and Astronomy Outreach Program at the University of British Columbia Physics and Astronomy Outreach Program at the University of British Columbia Terminal velocity is reached when Falling Cats Terminal Velocity

Physics and Astronomy Outreach Program at the University of British Columbia Physics and Astronomy Outreach Program at the University of British Columbia Falling Cats Calculation For a cat falling flat:

Physics and Astronomy Outreach Program at the University of British Columbia Physics and Astronomy Outreach Program at the University of British Columbia For a human falling flat: Falling Cats Calculation

Physics and Astronomy Outreach Program at the University of British Columbia Physics and Astronomy Outreach Program at the University of British Columbia Falling Cats Comparison < Cats hit the ground at a lower velocity, The anatomy of a cat having four legs allows them to lengthen the deceleration time during impact compared to a human <