Tension Problem when swinging on a vine

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SUMMARY

In the discussion about Tarzan swinging on a vine, it is established that at the lowest point of his swing, the tension in the vine is greater than the gravitational force acting on him. This is due to the need for centripetal force to maintain his circular motion, which requires additional tension beyond just supporting his weight. The participants emphasize the importance of using equations, such as F = ma, to analyze the forces involved in the scenario.

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lvlech
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This is my first time taking physics in my life. I want to get the concepts down on this homework problem.

Homework Statement



Tarzan swings through the jungle on a vine. At the lowest point of his swing, is the tension in the vine greater than, less than, or equal to the gravitational force on Tarzan. Explain.

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



Based on logic, isn't the tension on the vine at the lowest point equal to the gravitational force of tarzan because I was thinking if the tension was greater than the gravitational force on tarzan, then the vine would break? Is that correct?
 
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lvlech said:
This is my first time taking physics in my life. I want to get the concepts down on this homework problem.

Homework Statement



Tarzan swings through the jungle on a vine. At the lowest point of his swing, is the tension in the vine greater than, less than, or equal to the gravitational force on Tarzan. Explain.

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



Based on logic, isn't the tension on the vine at the lowest point equal to the gravitational force of tarzan because I was thinking if the tension was greater than the gravitational force on tarzan, then the vine would break? Is that correct?

Welcome to the PF!

Think about it this way -- is there a difference in the tension between if Tarzan is just hanging there, as opposed to swinging through an arc? What is different about his motion between those two cases?
 
If Tarzan was hanging there, there would definitely be tension because of Tarzan's weight pulling the vine down. When he is swinging, I think the gravitational pull would be the same, but the tension at different points on the swing would not be the same?
 
lvlech said:
If Tarzan was hanging there, there would definitely be tension because of Tarzan's weight pulling the vine down. When he is swinging, I think the gravitational pull would be the same, but the tension at different points on the swing would not be the same?

All correct statements. What do you know about centripetal acceleration?
 
Hm... I know that acceleration would be going toward the center. Centripetal Acceleration should also be going towards the center?
 
Welcome to PF!

Hi lvlech ! Welcome to PF! :wink:
lvlech said:
Hm... I know that acceleration would be going toward the center. Centripetal Acceleration should also be going towards the center?

(what's the difference? :confused:)

Use F = ma …

how many forces are there on Tarzan?

if his speed is v, what is his acceleration? :smile:
 
The problem does not give any numbers. It is just asking what the lowest point of the swing on the tension be greater than, less than or equal to the weight of Tarzan. I think it is equal to Tarzan's weight because the rope tension could only support the max amount of weight of gravitational pull? If it is greater, the vine would snap? If it is less than Tarzan's weight, there should not be any tension.
 
lvlech said:
The problem does not give any numbers.

Yes, but physics is equations …

it usually helps to give everything names (m for mass, v for velocity, r for radius), and put them in an equation …

you didn't really think you were going to be able to get away with not using any equations, did you? :wink:

Anyway, answer those questions …

how many forces are there on Tarzan?

if his speed is v, what is his (vertical) acceleration?
 

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