Answer :
The forces acting on a gymnast on a balance beam are primarily gravity, the normal force, and friction.
When a gymnast is balancing on a balance beam, several forces are at play:
1. Gravity (G): This is the force that pulls the gymnast towards the Earth's center. It acts downward and is equal to the mass of the gymnast multiplied by the acceleration due to gravity (G = m * g).
2. Normal Force (N): This is the upward force exerted by the balance beam on the gymnast, perpendicular to the surface of the beam. According to Newton's third law, for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. When the gymnast's weight pushes down on the beam, the beam exerts an equal and opposite force back on the gymnast. This normal force must equal the gymnast's weight when the gymnast is not accelerating vertically (N = m * g).
3. Frictional Force (f): This is the force that opposes the motion of the gymnast along the surface of the beam. It acts parallel to the surface of the beam and is a result of the interaction between the gymnast's shoes and the beam's material. The maximum value of the frictional force is given by f_max = μ * N, where μ is the coefficient of friction between the gymnast's shoes and the beam.
4. Additional Forces: Depending on the gymnast's movements, there may be additional forces such as the centripetal force required for circular motion during spins, or the force due to angular momentum if the gymnast is twisting.
For the gymnast to maintain balance, the resultant of all these forces must pass through the gymnast's center of mass and intersect the base of support provided by the beam. If the resultant force falls within the base of support, the gymnast will remain balanced. However, if it falls outside this base, the gymnast will lose balance and may fall off the beam.
In summary, the gymnast must constantly adjust their body position to ensure that the forces of gravity, the normal force, and friction are balanced in such a way that their center of mass remains over the beam, allowing them to maintain equilibrium and perform their routine successfully.
Final answer:
While on a balance beam, a gymnast experiences two main forces - gravity pulling the gymnast downwards and the balance beam exerting an upwards supporting force. To maintain balance, the gymnast should ensure these forces are balanced around their centre of gravity.
Explanation:
In gymnastics, a gymnast must balance on a balance beam where multiple forces act upon the gymnast. The primary forces in this scenario are the gravitational force and the supportive force from the balance beam. The gymnast's mass creates a gravitational force which pulls the gymnast downward due to Earth's gravity, this is commonly known as weight. The balance beam, on the other hand, counters this downward pull with an upward supportive force.
When the gymnast is balanced, there is a state of equilibrium, meaning the net force acting on the gymnast is zero; the gravitational force equals the supportive force from the balance beam. An equilibrium condition includes that the net external force must be zero, and the net torque must also be zero. If the gymnast leans or moves, she creates torque, a rotation around the centre of gravity. To maintain balance, she needs to counteract this torque by applying an opposing force, typically by adjusting the position of her body.
In conclusion, the gymnast on a balance beam experiences a balance of forces - gravity pulling down and the beam pushing up. In order to maintain balance, the gymnast must orient her body in a way that ensures these forces are balanced around her centre of gravity.
Learn more about Forces in Balance here:
https://brainly.com/question/29268601
#SPJ12
