Question

Pushing a swing with a constant force

Answer 1

Step-by-step explanation:

By pushing a child on a swing a driving force is applied which forces the swing and the child in the forward direction. The gravitational force acts as a restoring force and pulls back the child to the original position. These two forces together set them into an oscillatory motion. By pushing the child the amplitude, that is the maximum displacement, increases.

Answer 2

Pushing a swing with a constant force means applying a consistent force while trying to move the swing. Let us understand this in brief-

• When pushing a person on a swing, we are not supposed to apply a consistent force, since the swing will be pushed out to a specific angle by a steady force, but it will not be able to swing.
• When we push in the same direction as the person's motion, we would enhance his or her kinetic energy; but, when we push in the opposite direction, we would lower his or her energy.

• We should make our pushes rhythmic, pushing at the same spot in each cycle, to help build up energy.

• In other words, our force needs to form a repeating pattern with the same frequency as the normal frequency of vibration of the swing.