Solving for Forces and Acceleration in a Tarzan Vine Swing

  • Thread starter Thread starter MFlood7356
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Force Motion
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the forces and acceleration experienced by Tarzan, who weighs 790 N, while swinging from a 24.2 m vine at an angle of 26.3° with the vertical. The tension in the vine is given as 708 N. The calculations involve determining the force from the vine on Tarzan in unit-vector notation, the net force acting on him, and the magnitude and direction of both the net force and his acceleration. The net force was calculated to be 350 N with a direction of -63.7 degrees from the positive x-axis.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Newton's Second Law (F=ma)
  • Basic knowledge of vector components and trigonometry
  • Familiarity with unit-vector notation
  • Ability to perform calculations involving sine and cosine functions
NEXT STEPS
  • Study vector decomposition in physics to better understand force components
  • Learn about tension forces in pendulum motion
  • Explore the concept of net force and its calculation in dynamic systems
  • Review acceleration calculations in two-dimensional motion
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for physics students, educators, and anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of forces and motion in real-world scenarios, particularly in contexts involving pendulum-like swings.

MFlood7356
Messages
37
Reaction score
0
1. Tarzan, who weighs 790 N, swings from a cliff at the end of a 24.2 m vine that hangs from a high tree limb and initially makes an angle of 26.3° with the vertical. Assume that an x-axis points horizontally away from the cliff edge and a y-axis extends upward. Immediately after Tarzan steps off the cliff, the tension in the vine is 708 N. Just then, what are (a) the force from the vine on Tarzan in unit-vector notation, and (b) the net force acting on Tarzan in unit-vector notation? What are (c) the magnitude and (d) the direction (measured counterclockwise from the positive x-axis) of the net force acting on Tarzan? What are (e) the magnitude and (f) the direction of Tarzan's acceleration?

2. F=ma Fx=ma-Fcos(theta) Fy=-Fsin(theta)

3. I really don't understand how to do any of these because the two forces and the length of the rope threw me off. I wasn't sure which force to use where. This is as much as I've done but I don't know what parts they relate to. I would really appreciate it if someone would help me:

Fx= 790N -708Ncos26.3= 155N
Fy = -708sin26.3= -314N
magnitude= SQRT1552+-3142= 350N
inversetan(-314N/155N)= -63.7 degrees
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Can someone please help me?
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
2K
Replies
8
Views
3K
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
9K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
22
Views
6K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
5K
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
9K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K