Question

Gibbons, small Asian apes, move by brachiation, swinging below a handhold to move forward to the next handhold. A 9.0 kg gibbon has an arm length (hand to shoulder) of 0.60 m. We can model its motion as that of a point mass swinging at the end of a 0.60-m-long, massless rod. At the lowest point of its swing, the gibbon is moving at 3.2 m/s .

What upward force must a branch provide to support the swinging gibbon?
Express your answer to two significant figures and include the appropriate units.

Answer 1

230 N

Step-by-step explanation:

At the lowest position , the velocity is maximum hence at this point, maximum support force T is given by the branch.

The swinging motion of the ape on a vertical circular path , will require

a centripetal force in upward direction . This is related to weight as follows

T - mg = m v² / R

R is radius of circular path . m is mass of the ape and velocity is 3.2 m/s

T = mg - mv² / R

T = 8.5 X 9.8 + 8.5 X 3.2² / .60 { R is length of hand of ape. }

T = 83.3 + 145.06

= 228.36

= 230 N ( approximately )