Energy Balance During Bungy Jumping

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the energy balance during bungy jumping, specifically the relationship between elastic potential energy (P.E.) and gravitational potential energy (G.P.E.). At the lowest point of the jump, kinetic energy (K.E.) is zero, raising questions about the reference point for measuring potential energy. Participants clarify that potential energy values are arbitrary and cannot be directly compared, but changes in potential energy can be compared if they start from the same reference point.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of gravitational potential energy (G.P.E.)
  • Familiarity with elastic potential energy (P.E.)
  • Basic knowledge of kinetic energy (K.E.)
  • Concept of reference points in physics
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the principles of energy conservation in mechanical systems
  • Learn about the mathematical formulation of potential energy
  • Explore the concept of reference frames in physics
  • Investigate the dynamics of elastic materials and their energy storage
USEFUL FOR

Physics students, educators, and anyone interested in the mechanics of energy transfer during extreme sports like bungy jumping.

7bear
Messages
18
Reaction score
0
When we are playing bungy jump, we are instantaneous at rest at the bottom(K.E=0).
At that time, is elastic P.E. greater than gravitational P.E? :confused:
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Potential energy relative to what?? Potential energy is always measured relative to some point and you haven't told us what that point is. My first guess would be "relative to the point from which you jumped" but in that case the potential energy would be negative and the question is trivial. My second guess would be "relative to
the ground but you haven't told us the height above the ground.
 
comparing potential energies

You can't comapre potential energies. Because their value are chose arbitrarily. but sure you can compare change in potential energies.

So, if your potential energies initially have the same value, then a direct comparison is possible.

spacetime
http://www.geocities.com/physics_all/index.html
 

Similar threads

High School Study of SHM of an object attached to a vertical spring
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
High School Conservation of Energy: Ball on a U-Shaped Ramp
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
High School Why Do Objects Bounce? Exploring Momentum and Energy Conservation
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
High School Can energy be decomposed?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
High School How to characterize a rubber ball moving horizontally and bouncing off of a vertical wall?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Calculating the Energy Absorbed by a Spring in a Car Suspension System
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
High School Potential energy and lifting an object vertically
  • · Replies 29 ·
Replies
29
Views
5K
Undergrad Work Done/Energy Transferred in One Dimensional Collision
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
High School About verification on Kinetic energy and work
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
4K
High School Conceptually understanding change in potential energy with 0 net work
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K