Calculating Tension For A Massless String

Click For Summary
The tension in a massless rope supporting a gymnast of 59.0 kg is calculated using the formula T = mg, resulting in 578.79 N when at rest. This tension remains the same even when the gymnast climbs at a constant rate, as there is no acceleration involved. The discussion confirms that constant velocity implies no net force, thus maintaining the same tension. The assumption that gravitational force is constant at this height is also validated. Therefore, the tension in the rope does not change whether the gymnast is stationary or climbing steadily.
Yosty22
Messages
182
Reaction score
4

Homework Statement


A gymnast of mass 59.0kg hangs from a vertical rope attached to the ceiling. You can ignore the weight of the rope and assume that the rope does not stretch. Use 9.81 m/s^2 for the value for the acceleration of gravity.
Calculate the Tension, T, in the rope if the gymnast climbs the rope at a constant rate.


Homework Equations



None (that I can think of)

The Attempt at a Solution



Since the rope is massless, I was thinking that the tension on the rope if she hangs there motionless should be the same as if she is climbing it. Solving for the Tension of the rope while she was sitting there, I just used mass times gravity, in this case; 59kg*9.81m/s^2=578.79N. Would this answer be the same if she was climbing up the rope as well?
Thanks a lot in advance.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Since the rope is massless, I was thinking that the tension on the rope if she hangs there motionless should be the same as if she is climbing it.
Right, but that is true for a massive rope as well.
Would this answer be the same if she was climbing up the rope as well?
Yes. You can use momentum conservation to show this, for example.
 
mfb said:
Right, but that is true for a massive rope as well.

This is true as long there is no acceleration, correct? As long as the velocity is constant, that is always true?
 
Yes - if we assume that the gravitational force does not depend on the height (a very good approximation here...).
 
The book claims the answer is that all the magnitudes are the same because "the gravitational force on the penguin is the same". I'm having trouble understanding this. I thought the buoyant force was equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Weight depends on mass which depends on density. Therefore, due to the differing densities the buoyant force will be different in each case? Is this incorrect?

Similar threads

  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K
Replies
5
Views
8K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
7K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
613
  • · Replies 32 ·
2
Replies
32
Views
12K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
8K