Centripetal force with circular motion

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the maximum mass Tarzan can have while swinging on a vine with a breaking strength of 1000 N. The key equation used is Fc=(m*v²)/r, where Fc represents the centripetal force. Participants clarify that the breaking strength is the maximum tension the vine can withstand and that both gravitational and centripetal forces must be considered. The correct approach involves accounting for Tarzan's weight at the lowest point of the swing, leading to the conclusion that the maximum safe mass is approximately 62 kg. The final solution is reached by properly applying the forces involved in the scenario.
catch-22
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This problem seems simple, but I can't get the answer:

Homework Statement



Tarzan tries to cross a river by swinging from one bank to the other on a vine that is 10.0 m long. His speed at the bottom of the swing is 8.0 m/s. Tarzan does not know that the vine has a breaking strength of 1000 N. What is the largest mass that Tarzan can have and still make it safely across the river.

Homework Equations



Fc=(m*v2)/(r)

The Attempt at a Solution



1000 N=(m*(8 m/s)2)/(10 m)
The answer is apparently 62 kg, and what I'm getting is over double that, so I'm obviously doing something wrong. I'm really not sure what I'm missing.
 
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catch-22 said:
This problem seems simple, but I can't get the answer:

Homework Statement



Tarzan tries to cross a river by swinging from one bank to the other on a vine that is 10.0 m long. His speed at the bottom of the swing is 8.0 m/s. Tarzan does not know that the vine has a breaking strength of 1000 N. What is the largest mass that Tarzan can have and still make it safely across the river.

Homework Equations



Fc=(m*v2)/(r)

The Attempt at a Solution



1000 N=(m*(8 m/s)2)/(10 m)



The answer is apparently 62 kg, and what I'm getting is over double that, so I'm obviously doing something wrong. I'm really not sure what I'm missing.

The 1000 N is not Fc. It is the breaking strength (so the maximum tension the vine can withstand). There are two forces to consider. You have neglected to take into account Tarzan's mass on the vine. Draw a diagram to see it.
 
Ft is not the only force in this example.


mv2/r = Fc
Fc= Ft-Fg
 
Epsillon said:
Ft is not the only force in this example.


mv2/r = Fc
Fc= Ft-Fg

I'm still not getting the right answer.

Using this, I've come up with

m=[10m*(1000 N-9.81m/s2*kg)]/(8.0m2/s2), which keeps working out to around 154 kg, still way off. What am I missing here?
 
Nevermind, I got it. Thanks guys.
 
maximum tension is the tension at the lowest point
and
tension at the lowest point = mv2/r + mg
works to around 61.72 by taking g = 9.8m/s
 
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