Bungee Jumping Grav: Thanks for Your Support

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the physics of bungee jumping, specifically focusing on the mechanics of potential energy, spring constants, and the properties of bungee cords. Participants explore theoretical calculations and practical considerations related to the design and safety of bungee jumping equipment.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants discuss the potential energy (PE) at different points during a jump, noting that at the top, the jumper has maximum PE while the bungee cord has none, and vice versa at the bottom.
  • There is a suggestion that the spring constant "k" of the bungee cord should be calculated to accommodate a range of jumper weights, rather than a specific mass.
  • One participant emphasizes the importance of factoring in the length of the rope when applying the equation for elastic potential energy, stating that it affects the stretch of the rope.
  • Concerns are raised about the need for the bungee cord to be "stiff enough" to avoid breaking or undergoing permanent deformation, with some uncertainty about the specific safety factors required compared to static ropes.
  • Another participant proposes creating a custom rope that starts at a specific length and stretches to a longer length, discussing the implications of rope length on the dynamics of the jump.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the importance of rope length and the calculation of the spring constant, indicating that multiple competing perspectives exist regarding the mechanics of bungee jumping.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about energy loss, the effects of air friction, and the specific properties of bungee cords remain unaddressed, leaving certain aspects of the discussion unresolved.

Aly
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Grav.

Thanks for all your help guys
 
Last edited:
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Anyone? :confused:
 
Aly said:
Anyone? :confused:

Some interesting reading at
http://www.nolimits-bungee.com/engineering/acro_e.html
It looks like the manufacturer will rate the cord for load, I'm not sure about the distance jumped.

I didn't look at the guarantee, though, the print was too fine. I'll assume they'll refund the price of the cord if it fails * :-) :-)

*if the buyer requests it in person
 
Last edited by a moderator:
At the top (40m above ground, or whatever it is @ the bottom). you have MAX PE, while the PE of the bungee is 0. At the bottom you have no PE, while the bungee has MAX PE.

Assuming no energy loss, your PE is "mgh", and the bungee's (assuming it is quite elastic) is "(1/2)(kx^2)".

I believe that when they say "solve for the parameter", it means that you're solving for the spring constant of the bungee, "k".

Of course, the above scenario was the simplified version, where you are considered a point mass. You could make calculations a bit more accurate and assume your centre of mass is located at half your height, and implement that information into your calculations.

I think air friction due to you coming down can be neglected.

I don't think the length of the rope matters, as long as there is some rope to begin with.
 
you can't really calculate a specific k constant for a specific mass. You should make a constant that will have a range for different masses, ie. 60kg - 120kg. And you should end up with a rage of streches for the rope. Also, you have to factor in the length of the rope when you are dealing with the equation:

[tex]P_e = \frac{1}{2}kx^2[/tex]
 
Nenad said:
you can't really calculate a specific k constant for a specific mass. You should make a constant that will have a range for different masses, ie. 60kg - 120kg. And you should end up with a rage of streches for the rope. Also, you have to factor in the length of the rope when you are dealing with the equation:

[tex]P_e = \frac{1}{2}kx^2[/tex]

Just to expand on this a little more, the idea is to have a k "stiff enough" that the rope won't break, or stretch permanently (plastic flow). I presume that the ropes are rated to stretch to some fraction of their original length, but I don't know what that fraction is.

The good news is that apparrently when using a stretchy rope one doesn't need the same LARGE safety factors that one needs when trying to suspend a person from a static rope. The stretch apparently takes care of the dynamic loading issue that makes the large safety factors necessary when using a static (non-stretching) rope.
 
1. I wouldn't bother with it (unless you were told to research it) - make your own rope. How about one that starts at 15m long and stretches to 30?

2. Length of rope matters, but since it wasn't given to you, you get to pick. Longer rope means less stretch (longer freefall, more of a jerk at the end) and a shorter rope means more stretch.

3. Not good or bad, just information. A 15m rope stretching to 30 would fit that bill.
 

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