What is the Direction of Acceleration During a Bungee Jump?

[c&j]

When a bungee jumper reaches the lowest point of their jump, is the direction of acceleration up or down? What about at the highest point?

 

[ideasrule]

What do you think? Which way is the force in both situations?

 

[kerimek]

At the lowest point of the bungee jump, the direction of acceleration is up. This is because the bungee cord is stretched to its maximum length and is now pulling the jumper back upwards.

At the highest point of the jump, the direction of acceleration is down. This is because the bungee cord is now stretched to its minimum length and is pulling the jumper towards the ground, causing them to accelerate downwards.

The change in direction of acceleration at the lowest and highest points of the jump is due to the elastic potential energy stored in the bungee cord. As the jumper falls, the bungee cord stretches and stores this potential energy, which is then released at the lowest point, causing the jumper to accelerate upwards.

In summary, the direction of acceleration during a bungee jump is dependent on the position of the jumper and the elastic potential energy stored in the bungee cord.