Vectors and Projectiles
The Monkey and
Zookeeper
Suppose the zookeeper must shoot the banana from the banana cannon
to the monkey who hangs from the limb of a tree. This particular
monkey has a habit of dropping from the tree the moment that the
banana leaves the muzzle of the cannon. The zookeeper is faced with
the dilemma of where to aim the banana cannon in order to hit the
monkey. If the monkey lets go of the tree the moment that the banana
is fired, then where should she aim the banana cannon? To
ponder this question, consider the scenario in which the zookeeper
aims at the monkey, yet shoots the banana very slow. What would be
the path of the banana? Would the banana hit the monkey?
As is obvious from the animation above, the banana moves in a
parabolic path in the presence of gravity. In the presence of
gravity, the monkey also accelerates downward once he lets go of the
limb. Both banana and monkey experience the same acceleration since
gravity causes all objects to accelerate at the same rate regardless
of their mass. Since both banana and monkey experience the same
acceleration each will fall equal amounts below their gravity-free
path. Thus, the banana hits the monkey. Since the banana left the
muzzle moving very slow, the banana reaches the monkey after the
monkey has fallen considerably far. In conclusion, the key to the
zookeeper's dilemma is to aim directly at the monkey.
To review portions of the Monkey and Zookeeper dilemma and see
additional animations, click on one of the following links.
The Monkey and The Zookeeper
Throw at the Monkey in a Gravity Free
Environment
Throw above the Monkey with Gravity
On
Throw at the Monkey at a Fast Speed with
Gravity On
Throw at the Monkey at a Slow Speed with Gravity On
Click on any of the above links to explore the zookeeper's
dilemma.
For more information on physical descriptions of motion, visit
The Physics Classroom Tutorial.
Specific information is available on the following topics:
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