How Does Momentum and Energy Conservation Apply to a Tarzan Swing Collision?

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The discussion focuses on applying conservation of momentum and energy principles to analyze a Tarzan swing collision scenario. Participants explore the dynamics of Tarzan swinging, the collision with Jane, and the subsequent swing, emphasizing the conservation of energy and momentum during these phases. The initial potential energy (mgh) is discussed, along with the transition to kinetic energy during the swing and the inelastic collision when Tarzan grabs Jane. The conversation highlights the need to express variables in terms of angles and the importance of understanding the differences in energy states before and after the collision. Overall, the thread illustrates the complexities of solving physics problems involving multiple phases of motion and energy transformations.
  • #31
bieon said:
Ah dang... :/
Try leaving it as ##h_1, h_2## for now. That's simpler. We can sort out these in terms of angles later.
 
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  • #32
PeroK said:
Try leaving it as ##h_1, h_2## for now. That's simpler. We can sort out these in terms of angles later.

Like this?

Without Jane,
##Mg##(##h_1##)=½ ##Mv_1##2

With Jane,
##(M+m)g##(##h_2##)=½ ##(M+m)v_2##2
 
  • #33
bieon said:
Like this?

Without Jane,
##Mg##(##h_1##)=½ ##Mv_1##2

With Jane,
##(M+m)g##(##h_2##)=½ ##(M+m)v_2##2
Yes. Now you need the equation for ##v_1## and ##v_2## you got from conservation of monentum.
 
  • #34
PeroK said:
Yes. Now you need the equation for ##v_1## and ##v_2## you got from conservation of monentum.

PS note that the masses cancel in those equations, so that simplifies things a bit.
 
  • #35
PeroK said:
PS note that the masses cancel in those equations, so that simllifies things a bit.
Ok, so I put them in terms of velocity now right?
M##g##(##h_1##)=½ M##v_1##2
2##g####h_1##= ##v_1##2

With Jane,
(M+m)##g##(##h_2##)=½ (M+m)##v_2##2
2##g####h_2##= ##v_2##2
 
  • #36
bieon said:
Ok, so I put them in terms of velocity now right?
M##g##(##h_1##)=½ M##v_1##2
2##g####h_1##= ##v_1##2

With Jane,
(M+m)##g##(##h_2##)=½ (M+m)##v_2##2
2##g####h_2##= ##v_2##2
That's good. Now use the relationship between ##v_1## and ##v_2## that you got many posts ago.
 
  • #37
PeroK said:
That's good. Now use the relationship between ##v_1## and ##v_2## that you got many posts ago.
(##M##+##m##)##√2####gh_2##=##M√2####gh_1##
This?
 
  • #38
bieon said:
so... V2=[m1/(m1+m2)]v1

(Sorry, I don't know how to use fraction here...)

This!
 
  • #39
PeroK said:
This!
Like this?
##√2####gh_2## =[M/(M+m)] ##√2####gh_1##
 
  • #40
bieon said:
(##M##+##m##)##√2####gh_2##=##M√2####gh_1##
This?
It looks like you've done it. Can you finish it off by expressing height in terms of angle.
 
  • #41
PeroK said:
It looks like you've done it. Can you finish it off by expressing height in terms of angle.
I believe I can! Thank you so much! I am sorry for the trouble!
 
  • #42
PeroK said:
It looks like you've done it. Can you finish it off by expressing height in terms of angle.
Uhm I think I had trouble, I know the general concept of l-lcos but I am not sure where it came from...
 
  • #43
bieon said:
Uhm I think I had trouble, I know the general concept of l-lcos but I am not sure where it came from...

It's just trigonometry.
 
  • #44
PeroK said:
It's just trigonometry.
but why is it L - L cos θ ?
Sorry, I just want to understand more
 
  • #47
In summary: $${\left(\frac{m}{m+50}\right)}^2=\frac{h_2}{h_1}$$. We do however perhaps need to question a little the physics of this situation since momentum is conserved in the absence of an external force. If the transfer of momentum in the collision is not instantaneous but rather over a finite time instant Δt , g could act if for a very brief instant. Collision energy in a perfectly inelastic collision is considered lost - here it's possible that some collision energy is not dissipated but rather absorbed by being converted to PE. Jane benefits because Tarzan does not make an instant impact!
 

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