Chameleons can rapidly project their very long tongues to catch nearby insects. The tongue of the tiny Rosette-nosed chameleon has the highest acceleration of a body part of any amniote (reptile, bird, or mammal) ever measured. In a somewhat simplified model of its tongue motion, the tongue, starting from rest, first undergoes a constant-acceleration phase with an astounding magnitude of 2500 m/s^2. This acceleration brings the tongue up to a final speed of 5.0 m/s. It continues at this speed for 22 m/s until it hits its target. What is the total distance traveled by the chameleon's tongue?

0.115 m

Explanation:

Consider the motion of tongue during acceleration:

v₀ = initial velocity of the tongue = 0 m/s

v = final velocity of the tongue = 5 m/s

a = acceleration = 2500 m/s²

d = distance traveled during acceleration phase

Using the equation

v² = v₀² + 2 a d

5² = 0² + 2 (2500) d

d = 0.005 m

Consider the motion of tongue after it attains constant speed

d' = distance traveled during constant velocity

v = constant velocity = 5 m/s

t = time of travel = 22 ms = 0.022 s

using the equation

d' = v t

d' = 5 x 0.022

d' = 0.11 m

D = Total distance traveled by tongue

Total distance traveled by tongue is given as

D = d + d'

D = 0.005 + 0.11

D = 0.115 m