Jump to content
  • entries
    30
  • comments
    15
  • views
    16,983

The Physics of Swings

bazinga818

Entry posted by bazinga818

1,490 views

 Share

Hello, world of AP Physics C. I'd like to talk to you about the physics of swings today.

Swingsets involve circular motion! If you think about it, when you swing you're actually completing a half circle each time you swing to and from your highest points. At your lowest point (the bottom of the circle), the tension (T) from the chains is pulling upwards, and your weight (mg) is pulling downwards. The centripetal acceleration (v^2/r), as well as the centripetal force (mv^2/r, using Newtons Law F=ma) both point towards the center of the circle. Therefore, to find the tension at the bottom of the circle, one would use the equation T=(mv^2/r) + mg. At either side of the circle, since tension and Fc point inward and weight is downward, the equation would be T=mv^2/r.

If you had a great enough velocity (which points tangentally to the circle, perpendicular to the Fc and ac (cent. accel.)), you might be able to swing all the way around the top of the swingset. For this to happen, the tension would have to be a minimum of zero newtons. At the top of the circle, since both tension and weight point downward (as well as Fc), the equation to find tension would be T=(mv^2/r) - mg.

Now you know about the physics of swingsets! I've included a few pictures below to further your comprehension, if my explanations weren't explanatory enough. Thanks for reading, see ya next week! :thumbsu:

bazinga818 :ass:

http://www.ic.sunysb.edu/Class/phy141md/lib/exe/fetch.php?media=phy141:lectures:ballonstring.pngn16.jpgcub_pend_lesson01_image1.jpg

 Share

1 Comment

Recommended Comments

Guest
Add a comment...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×

Terms of Use

The pages of APlusPhysics.com, Physics in Action podcasts, and other online media at this site are made available as a service to physics students, instructors, and others. Their use is encouraged and is free of charge. Teachers who wish to use materials either in a classroom demonstration format or as part of an interactive activity/lesson are granted permission (and encouraged) to do so. Linking to information on this site is allowed and encouraged, but content from APlusPhysics may not be made available elsewhere on the Internet without the author's written permission.

Copyright Notice

APlusPhysics.com, Silly Beagle Productions and Physics In Action materials are copyright protected and the author restricts their use to online usage through a live internet connection. Any downloading of files to other storage devices (hard drives, web servers, school servers, CDs, etc.) with the exception of Physics In Action podcast episodes is prohibited. The use of images, text and animations in other projects (including non-profit endeavors) is also prohibited. Requests for permission to use such material on other projects may be submitted in writing to info@aplusphysics.com. Licensing of the content of APlusPhysics.com for other uses may be considered in the future.

APlusPhysics Books

APlusPhysics Books

×
×
  • Create New...