Monkey and Hunter Theory: Mathematical Proofs

[harhar]

For those familiar with the monkey and hunter theory, could you direct me to any site or do you know the mathematical proof to actually show that it's true?

http://www.cwru.edu/artsci/phys/courses/demos/monk.htm

 

[what]

Go to the 3d kinematics lecture video and about 35 minutes in, probably one of the best explinations I've ever seen. http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/Physics/8-01Physics-IFall1999/VideoLectures/index.htm

 

[thepatientmental]

The monkey and hunter theory is a classic physics problem that involves a monkey swinging from a tree and a hunter trying to shoot the monkey with a gun. The theory states that if the monkey drops from the tree at the same time the hunter shoots, the monkey will never be hit by the bullet. This is because the monkey is constantly accelerating downwards due to gravity, while the bullet travels in a straight line at a constant speed.

To prove this mathematically, we can use the equation for distance, d = vt, where d is the distance traveled, v is the velocity, and t is the time. In this case, we can set up two equations, one for the monkey and one for the bullet:

Monkey: d = 1/2gt^2
Bullet: d = vt

Where g is the acceleration due to gravity, and v is the velocity of the bullet. Since both the monkey and the bullet start at the same height and fall for the same amount of time, we can set these two equations equal to each other:

1/2gt^2 = vt

Solving for t, we get t = 2v/g. This means that the bullet will take twice as long to reach the ground as the monkey, giving the monkey enough time to drop from the tree and avoid being hit.

This mathematical proof is also supported by real-life experiments and demonstrations, such as the one shown in the link provided. So, while the monkey and hunter theory may seem counterintuitive at first, it is indeed true and can be proven both mathematically and through physical evidence.