Question

Tarzan (who has mass 80.0 kg) is running across the jungle floor with speed 7.00 m/s as

shown in Figure 1. Tarzan grabs a large bunch of bananas (15.0 kg) and grabs a vine in an attempt to swing up to his monkey who is 3.00 m above him as in Figure 2.

i. What is Tarzan’s momentum before he grabs the bananas? [2 points]
ii. What is Tarzan’s speed just after he grabs the bananas? [4 points]
iii. Can Tarzan swing high enough to reach his monkey? Justify your answer. [2 points]

Answer 1

We are given:

Mass of Tarzan before swinging = 80 kg

Mass of Tarzan when swinging = 80 + 15 = 95 kg

Velocity of Tarzan = 7 m/s

The height of the rock Tarzan's monkey is sitting on = 3 m

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Momentum of Tarzan before swinging:

We know that:

Momentum = Mass*Velocity

Momentum = 80 * 7

Momentum = 560 kg m/s

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Speed of Tarzan after grabbing the bananas:

The momentum of Tarzan will remain the same but his mass will increase

So, Since Momentum = New Mass* velocity

560 = 95 * v [where v is the velocity of Tarzan]

v = 5.9 m/s

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Finding the Initial and Final KE and PE:

Here, KE = Kinetic Energy and PE = Potential Energy

Initial and Final KE:

We know that KE = 1/2*(mv²)

Initial KE:

Initial KE = 1/2*(mv²) [where v is the velocity after picking the bananas]

Initial KE = 1/2*(95*5.9²)

Initial KE = 1653.5 Joules

Final KE:

Final KE = 1/2*(mv²)

[where v is the velocity at the maximum point of the swing]

Since Tarzan will be at rest at the maximum point of the swing, v = 0 m/s

Final KE = 1/2*(95*0²)

Final KE = 0 Joules

Initial and Final PE:

We know that:

PE = mgh

[where g is the acceleration due to gravity and h is the height]

Initial PE:

Since the height of Tarzan from the ground was 0 m at the beginning of the swing, h = 0

Initial PE = 95*10*0

Initial PE = 0 Joules

Final PE:

Let the maximum height of Tarzan be h m

Final PE = 95*10*h

Final PE = 950(h)

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Finding the maximum height Tarzan will reach:

Here, KE = Kinetic Energy and PE = Potential Energy

From the law of conservation of momentum, we know that:

Initial KE + Initial PE = Final KE + Final PE

Replacing the variables:

1653.5 + 0 = 0 + 950h

1653.5 = 950h

h = 1653.5/950 [dividing both sides by 950]

h = 1.74 m

Therefore, the maximum height reached by Tarzan is 1.74 m

but since his monkey is sitting 3 m high, he will NOT be able to reach his monkey