Finding the Force Applied to a Heavy Bag

AI Thread Summary
To determine the force applied when kicking a heavy bag, one must consider the bag's mass, dimensions, and the distance it moves upon impact. The bag's center of mass and the angle of swing can be calculated using trigonometric relationships, which help in estimating the energy transferred from the kick. The energy of the kick not only moves the bag but also lifts its center of mass against gravity, indicating that the force applied results in both horizontal and vertical displacement. The elasticity of the bag's surface may affect the results, but assuming a reasonable elasticity allows for simplified calculations. Accurate modeling could involve analyzing the bag's motion as damped harmonic motion for more precise results.
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I have a heavy bag and I was wondering if I could find out how much force is applied when I kick it. Here's a picture describing of the problem:

5061011c70cd9.jpg


If some amount of force is applied that causes the bag to move x meters (first swing) in the direction of the force, how much was applied? The bag is cylindrical, with a radius of 0.15m and a height of 1m. It has a mass of 36 kg and is hanging 0.4m away from a point by chain.

I don't think the speed/acceleration of the bag is necessary because requiring either of those things suggest that there's more than one value for force that would cause the bag to move a certain amount. Wouldn't the bag just move farther and farther as more force was applied?

Something that I think is important that I currently do not know is how elastic (is that what it's called?) the surface of the bag is (that is, how much the bag "caves in" on itself when hit), so just assume something reasonable.

Thanks! If there's any information you need about the situation then ask and I'll supply everything I can.
 
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Does the bag really pivot as shown or does it swing from the ceiling?

Note: the energy of your kick (+losses) goes into lifting the center of mass of the bag against gravity. If I take the pivot at the ceiling, the com of the bag is 0.9m down. If the bottom of the bag moves x meters, then the com moves a similar distance by similar triangles. You can also find the angle of the swing since ##1.4\sin(\theta)=x## and so ##0.9-0.9\cos(\theta)=y## and so the energy in your kick is more than ##K=mgy##.

You can work out the extra by displacing the bag by distance x, and seeing how far over the other side it goes. If it is very close to x, then there is not much loss.

For more accurate modelling, you can set it swinging and work out the damped harmonic motion.
 
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