Calculating Force on Albert in Lightweight Swing

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the forces acting on a mass, Albert, sitting on a lightweight swing at an angle θ with the vertical. Key equations include Newton's 2nd law for horizontal forces (F = ma) and vertical forces (F = mg). Participants emphasize the importance of drawing a free body diagram to visualize the forces and suggest decomposing the weight into components along the swing's direction and tangentially. The goal is to derive an expression for the horizontal force F based on the mass m, gravitational acceleration g, swing length L, and angle θ.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Newton's 2nd law of motion
  • Knowledge of free body diagrams
  • Familiarity with trigonometric functions related to angles
  • Basic concepts of forces and motion
NEXT STEPS
  • Study how to draw and analyze free body diagrams in physics
  • Learn about vector decomposition of forces
  • Explore the relationship between mass, gravity, and tension in pendulum systems
  • Investigate applications of Newton's laws in real-world scenarios
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for physics students, educators, and anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of forces acting on objects in motion, particularly in swing systems.

jeff1982
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Homework Statement


Your nephew Albert sits on a lightweight swing. Albert has a mass m. You pull horizontally on Albert so that the swing rope of length L maintains an angle [itex]\theta[/itex]
with the vertical

Homework Equations


A. Write a Newton's 2nd law equations for the horizontal force components acting on the system.
B. Write a Newton's 2nd law equation for the vertical force components acting on the system.
C. Derive an expression that would allow you to calculate the value of F if you were given m, g, L, and [itex]\theta[/itex]


The Attempt at a Solution

A. F=ma, B. F=mg. C. no clue
 
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jeff1982 said:

The Attempt at a Solution

A. F=ma, B. F=mg. C. no clue


Start by drawing the free body diagram with the mass at the angle. Then try splitting the weights into 2 components, one in the direction of the string and one tangential to the mass.
 

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