Energy Conservation and Kinetic, Wind Energies

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the minimum speed required for Jane, with a mass of 49.0 kg, to swing across a river against a wind force of 126 N. Using the work-energy principle, the potential energy associated with the wind force and gravitational potential energy are equated to determine the necessary kinetic energy. The calculations yield a minimum speed of 16.0356 m/s for Jane to reach the other side and 12.856 m/s for both Jane and Tarzan, with a combined mass of 129 kg, to return. The analysis highlights the importance of considering both gravitational and wind forces in energy conservation problems.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the work-energy principle
  • Familiarity with gravitational potential energy (PE = mgh)
  • Knowledge of kinetic energy (KE = 0.5mv²)
  • Ability to apply trigonometric functions in physics problems
NEXT STEPS
  • Explore advanced applications of the work-energy principle in dynamic systems
  • Learn about the effects of wind resistance on projectile motion
  • Investigate energy conservation in non-conservative forces scenarios
  • Study the impact of varying mass on kinetic energy calculations
USEFUL FOR

Physics students, educators, and anyone interested in energy conservation principles and their applications in real-world scenarios, particularly in mechanics involving forces and motion.

Yoshistr
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1. Jane, whose mass is 49.0 kg, needs to swing across a river filled with man-eating crocodiles in order to rescue Tarzan, whose mass is 80.0 kg. However, she must swing into a constant horizontal wind force F on a vine that is initially at an angle of with the vertical. (See Fig. P5.73.) In the figure, D = 50.0 m, F = 126 N, L = 40 m, and theta = 50.0°.

Figure P5.73
http://www.webassign.net/sercp/p5-73.gif

(a) With what minimum speed must Jane begin her swing in order to just make it to the other side? (Hint: First determine the potential energy that can be associated with the wind force. Because the wind force is constant, use an analogy with the constant gravitational force.)

(b) Once the rescue is complete, Tarzan and Jane must swing back across the river. With what minimum speed must they begin their swing?





2. Homework Equations
W = KE + PE
KE = 0.5mv^2
PE = mgh
W = Fcos(theta)*d
Ei = Ef




3.
I first used:
Ei = Ef
PE(gravity) + KE(motion) = W(wind)
mgh + 0.5mv^2 = F(wind)*cos(theta)*d
49*9.81*(40-40*sin40) + 0.5*49*v^2 = 126*cos(50)*50
v = (2*((126*cos(50)*50)-(49*9.81*(40-40*sin40)))/49)^0.5
I got a number of different v:
16.0356
12.856
4.81637
7.7536
5.98
using different formula and substitutions but they are ALL incorrect by at least 10%!

Line of reason:
Jane needs to move against a force field of wind which exertes 126N, when multiplied by 50m the distance the work needed to go against the wind is 126*50 J multiplied by an angle of 50 degrees? Here is where it gets confusing, if she is moving in an arc wouldn't the energy of the wind change also? W = Fcos(theta)*d
So she obviously needs a KE equal to W in order to overcome it, also in the diagram I am unsure if there is a height change, but if there is it is negative energy with respect to the y axis? Should I break up the question into an x and y part then say v = ((vx)^2 + (vy)^2)^0.5?
height difference between starting point and ending point:
h = L - Lsin40
 
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= 40 - 40sin40 = 25.624(a) With what minimum speed must Jane begin her swing in order to just make it to the other side? Ei = EfPE(gravity) + KE(motion) = W(wind)mgh + 0.5mv^2 = F(wind)*cos(theta)*d49*9.81*25.624 + 0.5*49*v^2 = 126*cos(50)*50v = (2*((126*cos(50)*50)-(49*9.81*25.624))/49)^0.5v = 16.0356 m/s(b) Once the rescue is complete, Tarzan and Jane must swing back across the river. With what minimum speed must they begin their swing?Ei = EfPE(gravity) + KE(motion) = W(wind)mgh + 0.5mv^2 = F(wind)*cos(theta)*d129*9.81*25.624 + 0.5*129*v^2 = 126*cos(50)*50v = (2*((126*cos(50)*50)-(129*9.81*25.624))/129)^0.5v = 12.856 m/s
 

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