Question

Tarzan swings through the jungle on a massless vine. At the lowest point of his swing, is the tension in the vine greater than, less than, or equal to the gravitational force on Tarzan? Explain.

Short answer

There must be a net inward force (toward center of circle) so tension must be greater than the gravitational force acting on Tarzan.

Step-by-step solution

Given information

The tension acting on the vine will create a centripetal force acting downward which is said to be as centripetal acceleration. Tarzan swings with the help of centripetal acceleration. The schematic diagram is shown in the figure.

Explanation

If the forces are equal at lowest point of his swing, he will continue to move in a straight line. If gravity is greater than tension, he will accelerate downward toward ground. So, tension must be greater than the gravitational force acting on Tarzan.