Does Wrapping a Whip More Times Increase Its Ability to Support Weight?

Join the discussion
Registration is free. Ask a follow-up in this thread, or start your own.
Sign up Log in
1 reply · 3K views
cellogirl3
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
Currently I'm doing a physics project based on Indiana Jones. I was curious if the whip, when wrapped around a tree branch, can support a human weight. However I realize, depending on how many times the whip was wrapped around the branch, the friction force will increase. Yet based on the friction force, surface area is not taken into account and in this example, it should be considered. So how should I solve this?
Thanks
 

Discussion

Physics news on Phys.org
Hello Cellogirl! Welcome to PF!

in this case, there will be a tension throughout the whip. in ideal case the tension will be uniform. so friction force = Normal reaction x coefficient of friction.

here Normal reaction = no. of turns x tension in whip

so more turns implies more friction.