A gymnast is performing a giant swing on the high bar the fi

A gymnast is performing a giant swing on the high bar (the figure below). In a simplified model of the giant swing, assume that the gymnast keeps his arms and body straight as he swings all the way around the upper bar. Assume also that the gymnast does no work during the swing. With what angular speed should he be moving at the bottom of the giant swing in order to make it all the way around? The distance from the bar to his feet is 2.5 m and his center of gravity is 0.9 m from his feet.

Solution

KE = 1/2 . I . w^2 GPE needed = m . g . 2 1/2 . 1/3 . m . 2^2 . w^2 = m . g . 2 w^2 = 6 . 9.8 / 2 = 29.4 w=5.422rad/s