Inertia Homework Help: Understanding the Concept of Stretched Objects

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around understanding the concept of inertia in the context of stretched objects, specifically focusing on a hammock and the conditions under which it may break when subjected to weight. Participants are exploring the relationship between tension, sagging, and stretching in the hammock scenario.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to reason through the conditions that lead to the hammock breaking, questioning why it may break when stretched tightly but not when sagging. There are discussions about the implications of weight on the hammock's integrity in different states.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants raising questions and attempting to clarify their understanding of the problem. Some guidance has been offered regarding the conditions under which the book's answer might be correct, and there is an exploration of different interpretations of the hammock's behavior.

Contextual Notes

There are indications of confusion among participants regarding the mechanics of the hammock, particularly in relation to the tension and sag angle. The original poster's lack of initial work is noted, which has led to a moderation intervention in the thread.

Ineedhelpwithphysics
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OP has been warned about showing no work and has been advised to re-post and show their best efforts
Homework Statement
Which is more likely to break: A hammock stretched tightly between a pair of trees or one thats sags more when you sit on it.
Relevant Equations
nothing
I have no clue. The answer is the stretched one but i don't know why.
 
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Try to reason this out. It's common sense.
 
I don't get it how can it break when it is stretched tightly but not when it sags, Arent you going to break the hammock if it sags since you have a lot of weight?
 
Ineedhelpwithphysics said:
I don't get it how can it break when it is stretched tightly but not when it sags, Arent you going to break the hammock if it sags since you have a lot of weight?
I think the question refers to an hammock that still has some sag in it after you've sat down on it, not one which has maxed out elasticity halfway through the arse-parking process.
 
This is too confusing
 
It might be the backwards way of doing thing, but try reasoning out under what condition(s) the book answer is correct.
 
Draw a free body diagram for a hammock with "sag angle" ##\theta##,
assume the hammock will break when the tension in either exceeds some critical value ##T^*##,
and investigate how the weight of the person required to break the hammock is related to the the angle ##\theta##.
 
Ok but then which is more likely to break then the sagging or the stretching.
 
Thread is locked for Moderation. Folks, please report homework threads where the OP shows no work.
 

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