Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Tension in a Rope
Tension is the force transmitted through a rope or string when it is pulled tight by forces acting from opposite ends. In the context of swinging, the tension in the rope must counteract both the gravitational force acting on the student and provide the necessary centripetal force to keep the student moving in a circular path. The maximum tension occurs at the lowest point of the swing when the speed is highest.
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Centripetal Force
Centripetal force is the net force required to keep an object moving in a circular path, directed towards the center of the circle. For the swinging student, this force is provided by the tension in the rope minus the weight of the student. At the lowest point of the swing, the centripetal force is at its maximum, which is crucial for determining the maximum tension in the rope.
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Conservation of Energy
The principle of conservation of energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another. In this scenario, the kinetic energy of the student when running is converted into gravitational potential energy at the highest point of the swing. Understanding this energy transformation is essential for calculating the maximum tension in the rope, as it relates to the forces acting on the student during the swing.
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