Optimistic Cat Weighing on a Scale
How much does the cat weigh and what is the weight exerted by each of its paws?
The cat weighs 4.0 kilograms and the weight exerted by each of its paws is 0.25 kilograms per square centimeter. What is the area of one of its paws in square centimeters?
Answer:
The weight of the cat is 4.0 kilograms, and the weight exerted by each of its paws on the scale is 0.25 kilograms per square centimeter. The area of one of the cat's paws is 4 square centimeters.
To calculate the area of one of the cat's paws, we can use the formula:
Area = Force Exerted by One Paw / Pressure
Given that the force exerted by one paw is one-fourth of the total force (1.0 kg) and the pressure is 0.25 kg/cm, we can plug in the values:
Area = 1.0 kg / 0.25 kg/cm = 4 cm²
Therefore, the area of one of the cat's paws is 4 square centimeters.
Next time you see a cat standing on a scale, remember that even their weight distribution can be calculated with some simple physics!