Indiana Jones rope swing physics

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving a pendulum-like motion, specifically focusing on Indiana Jones swinging from a rope. The problem presents a scenario where the angle of swing and time are key factors in determining the position of the pendulum after a specified duration.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to apply harmonic motion principles using a cosine function to model the swing's position. There are questions about the correct use of time and initial phase in the calculations, as well as the interpretation of the parameters involved.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging in clarifying the calculations and assumptions made by the original poster. There is a focus on identifying where misunderstandings may have occurred, particularly regarding the time variable and initial conditions used in the calculations.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of a specific angle and distance relevant to the pendulum's motion, as well as a need to work in degrees rather than meters. The original poster expresses confusion over the calculations leading to incorrect answers.

zhenyazh
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Hi,
I am preparing for a test and have the following question.
there is the image attached too.

Indiana Jones is swinging from a rope. The distance between the pivot point and his center of mass is 31.0 m. He begins swinging from rest at an angle θ = 19.0o as shown in the figure. Assuming that Indiana and the rope can be treated as a simple pendulum, what is the value of θ after 1.27 s (in degrees)?

so i this is a harmonic motion question. as far as i understand i can use the
formula of location (x=...) but use angles to represent the location and thus get the answer. but somehow i get the wrong answer all the time.
could some one show me how it is done so i can see where i am wrong?

thanks
 

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Hi zhenyazh! :wink:
zhenyazh said:
… so i this is a harmonic motion question. as far as i understand i can use the
formula of location (x=...) but use angles to represent the location and thus get the answer. but somehow i get the wrong answer all the time.
could some one show me how it is done so i can see where i am wrong?

thanks

Show us your full calculations, and then we'll see what went wrong, and we'll know how to help! :smile:
 
ok.
so indiana starts from the farthest point and i want to work in degrees and not meters t to find position.
so i say x=Acos(wt+fi)
where A=19 deg, t=.127 and w=sqrt(g/l) where l is 31 if i understand the question correctly.
the answer i get is wrong.
 
Hi zhenyazh! :smile:

(have an omega: ω and a phi: φ and a square-root: √ :wink:)
zhenyazh said:
ok.
so indiana starts from the farthest point and i want to work in degrees and not meters t to find position.
so i say x=Acos(wt+fi)
where A=19 deg, t=.127 and w=sqrt(g/l) where l is 31 if i understand the question correctly.
the answer i get is wrong.

Isn't t = 1.27 ? And what did you use for φ ?
 
about the time yes you are right, it is a type.
about fi, i used zero since i use cos for my calculation and start from the right amplitude
 

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