The Physics of Zip Lining

A zip line is known as an inclined cable or rope with a suspended harness, pulley, or handle, down which a person slides for amusement. Although this fun activity may just seem like something fun to do with your friends, there is a great deal of science involved. Zip lining uses physics in many different ways.

There are a few basic principles for zip lining in order for it to actually work. For one, you have to be descending on a slope. Due to gravity and inertia, the person on the zip line will start and continue to zip down to the ground since there is no force being used to stop the descent.

One of the main parts of a zip line is the pulley. This pulley is attached to the rope or cable of the zip line, and as you glide down the wheel turns around as it travels down the wire. Sure, there are other things you could try to use for a zip line such as a jacket, but that certainly would not work as well. The reason the pulley works much better than a jacket, sweatshirt, or towel is because there is not as much friction when using the pulley. Since there is less friction, there is a faster speed. If you were to use a towel, there would be a lot more friction, and it would barely work.

You are going to have to stop the zip line at one point. By doing this, usually towards the end of the ride the slope will be slightly upward so the rider slows down and eventually comes to a stop instead of just continuing to glide forever.

There are many factors to think about when thinking of zip lining. First, you have to take the mass of the person zip lining into account. Clearly, many people have different masses. The speed of the person on the zip line depends on the mass of their body. If a person has a larger mass, they will travel faster than a person with a smaller body mass. Another thing to take into account is the slope of the zip line. The steepness of the line affects the velocity because the steeper the zip line is, the higher the velocity is. Lastly, you have to take into account the length of the zip line. Depending on how long the zip line is obviously gives you more time on the zip line. This then gives you more time to reach maximum speed and go as fast as possible.

http://www.zipkokanee.com/blog/2015/zipline-physics-what-goes-into-planning-your-thrill-ride/
https://adventure.howstuffworks.com/zip-line1.htm

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