The Chase: Cheetah vs. Antelope
A cheetah, the world's fastest land animal, is running at an impressive 90 feet per second. However, it finds itself 120 feet behind an antelope. Can the cheetah catch the antelope? Let's analyze the situation to find out!
Understanding the Problem
- Cheetah's speed: 90 feet per second
- Antelope's head start: 120 feet
To determine if the cheetah can catch the antelope, we need to consider the antelope's speed. The information provided does not include the antelope's speed. However, we can still make some assumptions and explore different scenarios.
Scenario 1: The Antelope is Stationary
If the antelope is stationary, the cheetah will easily catch up. It would take the cheetah 1.33 seconds (120 feet / 90 feet per second) to close the 120-foot gap.
Scenario 2: The Antelope is Running at a Constant Speed
If the antelope is running at a constant speed, the cheetah will be able to catch it if the antelope's speed is less than the cheetah's speed.
To illustrate, let's assume the antelope is running at 60 feet per second. This means the cheetah gains 30 feet every second (90 feet per second - 60 feet per second). To close the 120-foot gap, it would take the cheetah 4 seconds (120 feet / 30 feet per second).
Scenario 3: The Antelope is Accelerating
If the antelope is accelerating, the cheetah's chances of catching it become slimmer. If the antelope's acceleration is significantly faster than the cheetah's, it might be able to maintain a safe distance.
Conclusion
Whether the cheetah can catch the antelope depends heavily on the antelope's speed and potential acceleration. If the antelope is stationary or running at a slower speed than the cheetah, the cheetah will eventually catch up. However, if the antelope is running at a comparable speed or accelerating, the cheetah might struggle to close the gap.
