Is the man's landing point directly below the swing?

  • Thread starter Thread starter igul222
  • Start date Start date
Join the discussion
Registration is free. Ask a follow-up in this thread, or start your own.
3 replies · 2K views
igul222
Messages
4
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



A man jumps off a swingset at the peak of his swing (45 degrees from swing's base, which is perpendicular to the ground). The length of the swing chain is 2.13 meters, the distance from the pivot (where the chain attaches to the base) to the ground is 2.53 meters. What is the distance from his landing point to the base of the swing (the point on the ground below where the swing normally rests)? Air resistance, friction, etc... are insignificant.

Any help or guidance is appreciated.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Once you figure out the initial speed and angle, it is just a regular trajectory motion question like throwing a ball or shooting a bullet. I always start that type of question by figuring out the horizontal and vertical components of the initial velocity, then writing two headings: horizontal and vertical
Ask yourself what kind of motion (accelerated or constant speed) you have in each case and write the appropriate formulas under each heading.
 
The problem I've ben having is really figuring out the initial speed and angle - once that's done, I think I can do it.

Does anyone have any ideas on how to solve those?
 
Sorry! I bungled that. On reading the question I noticed that he jumps off at the peak of this swing - at that point the person and the swing are stopped. So he will fall straight down. It is not a projectile motion problem at all.