- #1
JessicaHelena
- 188
- 3
Homework Statement
A 110 kg panda is riding on a 3.0 m long swing whose mass can be considered negligible. The highest point of its arc occurs when the swing makes a 20° angle with the vertical. What the magnitude of the total tension in the ropes of the swing at that point?
m (mass of panda) = 110 kg
##\theta = 20 ^\circ##
L = 3.0 meters
Homework Equations
Force diagrams (?) — I am not really sure if any specific equation is needed here.
The Attempt at a Solution
Drawing a force diagram of the panda at that point, there is a tension force ##F_t## pointing towards the upper left along the rope, and a gravitational force ##F_g = mg## that points directly downwards. These forces do not balance each other out horizontally because of the horizontal component of ##F_t## but the ##F_{t(y)}## and ##F_g## do. Then we have ##F_t \cos \theta = F_g##. Rearranging, we have ##F_t = F_g / \cos \theta##. Plugging in the right values, ##F_t = (110)(9.8)/(\cos 20°)##. This gives approximately 1147.18 N.