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solarcat
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Homework Statement
A person is bungee jumping from the top of a cliff with height H. The un-stretched length of the bungee rope is L. The person comes to a stop just before hitting the ground. The length of the cord is equal to H(amax-g)/(amax+g), where amax is the maximum acceleration upward right before the person hits the ground. Show this equation is physically reasonable by evaluating it when amax = g and amax = infinity.
Homework Equations
Conservation of energy
The Attempt at a Solution
amax = g
L = H(g-g)/(g+g) = 0
This means that the cord starts stretching right as the person jumps.
amax = infinity
L = (infinity -g)/(infinity+g)*H = H
If the length of the cord is equal to H, the cord never starts stretching.
If the cord never starts stretching, then the jumper is always in free-fall, and the acceleration is equal to g. Then shouldn't the results be the other way around?