Chameleons catch insects with their tongues, which they can rapidly extend to great lengths. In a typical strike, the chameleon's tongue accelerates at a remarkable 210 m/s^2 for 20 ms, then travels at constant speed for another 30 ms. During this total time of 50 ms, 1/20 of a second, how far does the tongue reach?
Express your answer to two significant figures and include the appropriate units.

  x_total = 0.17m

Explanation:

We can treat this exercise with the kinematics equations, where in the first part it is accelerated and in the second it is a uniform movement.

Let's analyze accelerated motion

The time that lasts is t = 20 10⁻³ s, the initial speed is zero (v₀ = 0), let's find the length that advances

            x₁ = v₀ t + ½ a t²

            x₁ = ½ a t²

            x₁ = ½ 210 (20 10⁻³)²

            x₁ = 4.2 10⁻² m

let's find the speed for the end of this movement

            v = v₀ + a t

            v = 0 + 210   20 10⁻³

            v = 4.2 m / s

with this speed we can find the distance that the uniform movement

           x₂ = v t2

           x₂ = 4.2   30 10⁻³

           x₂ = 1.26 10⁻¹ m

           x₂ = 0.126m

the total distance traveled is

          x_total = x₁ + x₂

          x_total = 0.0420 +0.126

          x_total = 0.168m

     Let's reduce the significant figures to two

          x_total = 0.17m

the independent variable, the one that is intentionally manipulated, is whether or not the car hits the barrier.

the dependent variable, the one that you measure the response in, is the distance that the washers travel.