Conservation of Energy: Bungie Jumping

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the proper length of a bungie cord for a jumper starting 65 meters above the ground, aiming to stop 10 meters from the ground. The jumper's weight and the cord's elasticity, following Hooke's law, are key factors in the energy calculations. Initial gravitational potential energy is set equal to the sum of gravitational and elastic potential energy at the lowest point of the jump. The calculations lead to a cord length of 42.15 meters, while the book states the correct length is 25.8 meters, prompting questions about potential errors or typos in the provided answer. The participants express uncertainty about the correctness of the book's answer and seek clarification on their calculations.
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Homework Statement


Bungie Jumper starts 65 meters from ground.
Wants to end fall 10m from ground (55 meters from the top).
Cord follows Hookes law.

We know that when his body weight hangs at rest from a 5 meter section of cord, he stretches the cord 1.5 meters.

How long should his cord be?

Homework Equations


Gravitational Potential Energy = mgh
Elastic potential energy = .5kx^2

The Attempt at a Solution



Well, we know that mg=k(1.5) in reference to the last part of the question, because he would be hanging from the cord at rest [no net force]. We'll use this later.

All of his initial energy before the actual jump is gravitational potential energy so ENERGY = mg*65.

When, he is 10m from the ground (at the end of the jump), he has some Gravitational and some elastic potential energy, so ENERGY = mg*10 + .5kx^2.

Setting the two ENERGIES equal, I get a final equation of:
mg*65 = mg*10 + .5kx^2.

and using m=1.5k/g (from first part) I get:
(1.5k)*65 = (1.5k)*10 +.5kx^2

all k's cancel, and I can solve for x.

I get x=12.85. Subtracting this from the total jump distance of 55m, gives me a cord length of 42.15m.

The correct answer is supposedly 25.8m.

Can someone point out what I am doing wrong?
 
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Are you sure that is the correct answer? I got the same answer as you did.
 
IBY said:
Are you sure that is the correct answer? I got the same answer as you did.

Well, it's the answer given in the book, it may be a typo. I wanted to make sure I wasn't doing anything stupid. Thanks.
 
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