Cat people-- likelihood of a cat jumping from a 2nd floor window and not being injured?

[freeradical]

I think the operative word here is impulse.

J = impulse
F=force
T=time

J=F*T

Solved for force

J/T = F


So, if a cat hits the ground on its paws, it's able to increase the length of time it takes for the collision to occur, which reduces the instantaneous force.

It's why we have crash barriers on the interstate highways.