*I am lost on a bunch of different problems, and this is one of them. Please note that I am NOT asking for final answers, just some guidance so that I can figure out how to do the problem!!! I know that a lot of times on this site it is commented that we are fishing for answers, but I just need some guidance on some stuff I honestly cannot figure out how to do, no matter how easy it might seem to others.

A 28.0 kg child plays on a swing having support ropes that are 1.90 m long. A friend pulls her back until the ropes are 45.0 degrees from the vertical and releases her from rest.

What is the potential energy for the child just as she is released, compared with the potential energy at the bottom of the swing?
Answer expressed in J.

How fast will she be moving at the bottom of the swing?
Answer expressed in m/s.

How much work does the tension in the ropes do as the child swings from the initial position to the bottom?
Answer expressed in J.

Draw the figure. What is the height of the child? (I think it is 1.90-1.90cos45, check that)

PE = mgh
KE at bottom= 1/2 mv^2 which will equal the max PE at the top.

Work in tension? Do the ropes stretch? Work is only done by a force if it travels in the direction of the force.

1 answer

the tension is 0