The video asks students to predict when a bungee jumper experiences maximum acceleration. The answer is at the very bottom of the jump. This is often counter-intuitive as the velocity at this point is almost zero. As velocity is directional the maximum change occurs at the point the direction changes.
What is the physics behind bungee jumping?
The bungee jump can then be divided into three phases: (i) a free-fall (with acceleration of gravity g) of the jumper, when the rope is still slack; (ii) the stretch phase until the rope reaches its maximum length; and (iii) the rebound phase consisting of a damped oscillatory motion.
How is bungee jumping calculated?
We calculate the spring constant of the bungee cord: k = F/x = mg/x = 15.2 N/m. If we release Cosmo at the position where the other end of the bungee cord is attached, he falls until the force of the stretched cord finally stops him at the bottom of his fall.
Why does a bungee jumper feel weightless on their way down?
Answer and Explanation: The jumper is basically in free fall which means there is no force supporting the jumper other than the gravitational force.
What forces are used in a bungee jump?
The gravitational force is almost exactly constant throughout the jump. During the bungee jumper’s fall, he or she also experiences a force due to air resistance. The faster the jumper is falling, the more the air resistance pushes back opposite to the direction of motion through the air.
What type of energy is in a bungee jump?
During a bungee jump, the stored, potential energy (PE) of the jumper on a tall platform (PE = mgh) is converted into kinetic energy (KE) during the fall (KE = 1/2mv2). This kinetic energy is converted back into potential energy as the bungee cord (rubber band chain) stretches.
How does Hooke’s law relate to bungee jumping?
Hooke’s Law tells us that the elastic bungee cord will stretch by a known amount for each person depending on their weight. Elastic objects stretch by the same amount each time we add the same amount of weight or force until it reaches its elastic limit.
Is bungee jumping simple harmonic motion?
Bungee jumping is a good example of simple harmonic motion. Bungee jumping companies have a variety of cords so that people of different weights can take the jump without hitting the bottom. It’s similar to the egg drop lab that we did, but with different variables, and the height of the drop being the constant.
When in the bungee drop is the kinetic energy the highest?
Take the one with the positive root. The other will correspond to a height above the jumping point. The maximum kinetic energy will occur when the tension in the elastic is equal to the force of gravity on the descending jumper: so that Below this point the jumper will start to decelerate.
Why does a bungee cord stretch as well as it does 1 point?
As you stretch or compress an elastic material like a bungee cord, it resists the change in shape. It exerts a counter force in the opposite direction. This force is called elastic force. The farther the material is stretched or compressed, the greater the elastic force becomes.
Does weight matter in bungee jumping?
How much you weigh will make a big difference to how the bungee jump performs, and therefore how the operators need to set it up. They will get your weight and then calculate which rope category you need to jump from. If a lighter jumper goes first, they will have a different rope to a heavier jumper who goes next.
What is the acceleration of bungee jumper?
Between about 2.5 seconds and 4.5 seconds, the jumper is freely falling and the acceleration is near –9.8 m/s2. When all of the slack is out of the bungee cord, the acceleration begins to change. As the bungee cord stretches, it exerts an upward force on the jumper.
Why does a freely falling person feels weightless?
While free-falling, gravity is the only force acting on the body. As gravity cannot be felt without any opposing force, there would be no sensation of it. This is the reason why we feel weightless in a state of free fall.
Why do you feel weightless when free-falling?
During free fall, the only force acting on the body is the force due to gravity which is acting downwards. As there is no normal force acting upward, it feels weightlessness.
Why do we feel weightless when falling?
When in free fall, the only force acting upon your body is the force of gravity – a non-contact force. Since the force of gravity cannot be felt without any other opposing forces, you would have no sensation of it. You would feel weightless when in a state of free fall.
How much G force is bungee jumping?
The position y = -L is the point where acceleration a is maximum. For example, if the bungee cord weighs the same as the bungee jumper the maximum acceleration is approximately 1.6g.
What are the two main reasons that people have died from bungee jumping?
Death. Death, unfortunately, does occasionally occur as a result of bungee jumping. If a jumper’s neck is entangled in the cord for even a few minutes, his brain cannot get enough oxygen and his injury will be fatal. Another common reason people sustain fatal injuries from bungee jumping is because the cord is too long …
What is bungee jumping answer?
Bungee jumping (/ˈbʌndʒi/), also spelled bungy jumping, is an activity that involves a person jumping from a great height while connected to a large elastic cord.
How do you calculate the extension of a bungee cord?
Equating these expressions gives mgh = 0.5kx^2. This assumes that all of the gravitational potential energy of the bungee jumper will be converted to elastic potential energy. To find the maximum extension of the rope, rearrange this expression to find x, giving x = (2mgh/k)^0.5.
How do you describe energy transfer?
Energy transfers Energy is transferred by one of the following four types of energy pathway: mechanical work – a force moving an object through a distance. electrical work – charges moving due to a potential difference. heating – due to temperature difference caused electrically or by chemical reaction.
How far does a bungee cord stretch?
Longlasting Elasticity: Super Bungee Cord can stretch 550% its original length. The annular-pleated circular braid helps keep elasticity over time and use. UV and Moisture Resistant – Can withstand wear and tear.
Is bungee jumping an oscillation?
The above described phenomenon is known as a damped oscillation and in the case of bungee jumping, a lightly damped oscillation will occur, whereby the displacement against time graph of the system will show a exponentially decaying envelope.
How does energy change as the jumper falls from A to B?
As the jumper falls, energy is transferred from the gravitational potential energy store to the kinetic energy store.
What happens to a material when it is stretched or compressed beyond its limit?
The farther the material is stretched or compressed, the greater the elastic force becomes. As soon as the stretching or compressing force is released, elastic force causes the material to spring back to its original shape.
Is Newton’s Cradle simple harmonic motion?
Simple harmonic motion can be seen in Newton’s cradle. This is an apparatus that shows the principle of conservation of momentum and the principle of conservation of energy. Newtons cradle consists of 5 metal balls suspended by string so that the movement of spheres is in one place.