Question: Tarzan swings back and forth on a vine. At the microscopic level, why is the tension force on Tarzan by the vine greater than it would be if he were hanging motionless?

Short Answer

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Answer

As the vine stretches more, that pulls up more Tarzan.

Step by step solution

01

Definition of the motionless situation

At motionless the speed is constant, so the rate change of the magnitude of the momentum is zero.

Someone or something that does not move is said to be motionless. The thing has the potential to remain still for hours at a time, much like a statue.

02

Analysis of the forces on Tarzan

For changing the direction of the momentum, additional force is required. If Tarzan's momentum is invariant, no net amount of force would be needed.

However, an upward net force is required to shift Tarzan's motion from horizontal to upward.

Extra strain on the vine is required to change Tarzan's momentum's direction.

Therefore, the vine stretches more, pulling up more on Tarzan.

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Tarzan swings from a vine. When he is at the bottom of his swing, as shown in Figure 5.63, which is larger in magnitude: the force by the Earth on Tarzan, the force by the vine (a tension force) on Tarzan, or neither (same magnitude)? Explain how you know this.

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