Gibbons, small asian apes, move by brachiation, swinging below a handhold to move forward to the next handhold. a 9.0 kg gibbon has an arm length (hand to shoulder) of 0.60 m. we can model its motion as that of a point mass swinging at the end of a 0.60-m-long, massless rod. at the lowest point of its swing, the gibbon is moving at 3.2 m/s .
what upward force must a branch provide to support the swinging gibbon?
express your answer to two significant figures and include the appropriate units.

230 N

Explanation:

At the lowest position , the velocity is maximum hence at this point, maximum support force  T  is given by the branch.

The swinging motion of the ape on a vertical circular path , will require

a centripetal force  in upward direction . This is related to weight as follows

T - mg = m v² / R

R is radius of circular path . m is mass of the ape and velocity is 3.2 m/s

T =  mg -  mv² / R

T = 8.5 X 9.8 + 8.5 X 3.2² / .60  { R is length of hand of ape. }

T = 83.3 + 145.06

= 228.36

= 230 N ( approximately )