Line tension attached to Parasail?

[mav7]

Not sure what to expect here.. but figured I'd at least ask!

Background: I heard of examples where a parasail can actually lift a boat out of the water. Also, I've seen instances where increased wind speed as caused the rope to break, which is rated for 8000lbs.

I'm wondering how you can estimate the force that will be applied to the rope based on certain variables. If I left anything out, let me know.

Let's say we have a 3600lb boat (weight includes passengers, fuel and gear) traveling 25mph, with a parasail attached. The pilot is 180lbs. There is a wind speed of 15mph. The boat is traveling into the wind. I'm assuming we will need some sort of variable for drag created by the parachute, not sure what this would be. But let's say the parachute has a 28 foot diameter if that helps.

Q1) What will the tension/force be on the rope, in lbs?

Q2) What conditions would need to be met for the boat to be lifted out of the water?

Thanks in advance...

 

[LightHero]

To answer your first question, the tension/force on the rope will depend on the design of the parasail and the weight of the boat. In general, however, it can be estimated by using the equation: Force (in lbs) = Weight of Boat (in lbs) + Weight of Pilot (in lbs) + Drag force (in lbs)The drag force is dependent on the size of the parachute, the speed of the boat, and the wind speed. To calculate this, you will need to use a formula such as the one from NASA: Drag Force (in lbs) = 0.5 * Air Density (in kg/m3) * Velocity^2 * Parachute Area (in m2)So, for your example, the total force on the rope would be: Force (in lbs) = 3600 + 180 + (0.5 * 1.225 * (25^2) * 0.785) Force (in lbs) = 4278.75 lbsTo answer your second question, for the boat to be lifted out of the water, the force on the rope needs to be greater than the weight of the boat. So, in your example, the force on the rope needs to be greater than 3600 lbs.

 

[astrokreng]

Hi there, thank you for your question about line tension attached to parasail. It's great that you are curious about the forces involved in this activity. I can provide some insights into this topic.

Firstly, let's discuss the concept of line tension. Line tension is the force applied to a rope or line when it is pulled taut. In the case of a parasail, the line tension is the force that is keeping the parasail attached to the boat and allowing it to stay in the air. This tension is affected by various factors such as the weight of the boat, the speed of the boat, and the wind speed and direction.

To answer your first question, estimating the force on the rope can be a complex calculation as it depends on multiple variables. However, we can use some basic principles to get an approximate answer. The formula for force is mass times acceleration (F=ma). In this case, the mass would be the combined weight of the boat, passengers, and pilot. The acceleration would be the speed of the boat, which is 25mph. So, the force on the rope would be approximately 9000lbs (3600lbs + 180lbs = 3780kg x 25mph = 9000lbs). This is a rough estimate as it does not take into account the drag created by the parachute, which would decrease the force on the rope.

Moving on to your second question, the conditions that would need to be met for the boat to be lifted out of the water are related to the force on the rope. In order for the boat to be lifted, the force on the rope would need to be greater than the weight of the boat. This would require a strong wind speed and a properly designed and rated parasail. Additionally, the angle of the rope would also play a role. If the rope is pulled at a steep angle, the force on the rope would be greater and could potentially lift the boat.

I hope this helps to answer your questions. It's important to note that these calculations are simplified and do not take into account all the variables and complexities involved in parasailing. It is always important to follow safety guidelines and use properly rated equipment when engaging in any activity. If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to ask. Thank you!