Final answer:
A thin wire used to increase the stiffness of a circular external fixator frame is known as an Olive wire. It enhances stability by forming a three-dimensional structure, emphasizing the importance of understanding physical principles for medical applications like bone healing.
Step-by-step explanation:
A thin wire placed out of plane or above/below a ring to increase the stiffness of a circular external fixator frame is known as a Olive wire. In the context of medical engineering and specifically orthopedics, these Olive wires are used to enhance the stability of constructs that are applied to broken bones to aid in their healing. The addition of an Olive wire to a circular frame creates a three-dimensional structure, thus increasing its rigidity and ability to withstand various forces without deformation.
The change in the wire due to weight, such as with a tightrope walker, is an illustration of how forces affect the tension and geometry of wires. When the tightrope walker stands on the wire and causes it to sag by a specific angle, say 5.0° as in the scenario provided, this is an application of the physical principles governing the behavior of wires and frames under load. Analyzing these principles allows for the proper design of external fixators in medical applications.