Calculating Work Done by Tension in Vine for Tarzan

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SUMMARY

The work done by the tension in the vine while Tarzan swings through the jungle is zero. This is because the tension force acts perpendicular to Tarzan's displacement vector throughout his swing. Since work is defined as the product of force and displacement in the direction of the force, and there is no displacement in the direction of the tension force, the result is zero work done. Understanding this principle is crucial in physics, particularly in mechanics.

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Tarzan, who weighs 875 N, swings from a vine through
the jungle. How much work is done by the tension in the
vine as he drops through a vertical distance of 4.00 m?

The answer is zero.

Why is this?
 
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You might want to draw a sketch of King of the Jungle as he swings from a long vine. At some point he is 4 m vertically lower than his starting point. The tension force in the vine is always perpendicular to his displacement vector at any instant. What is the definition of work?
 

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