A balloon of mass M, a light rope, and a monkey of mass m are at rest in the air. The monkey then climbs a length L up the rope (i.e., the rope length the monkey ascends is L). By what distance does the balloon descend?

Question

Accepted Answer

mL/(m + M). Since the system's centre of mass cannot move (initially at rest, no net external force change), the balloon descends by mL/(M+m) while the monkey rises relative to the rope.

A balloon of mass M, a light rope, and a monkey of mass m are at rest in the air. The monkey then climbs a length L up the rope (i.e., the rope length the monkey ascends is L). By what distance does the balloon descend?

Solution

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