The Monkey and Zookeeper

Aiming Above the Monkey

Suppose a zookeeper must shoot a banana from a banana cannon to a 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 above the monkey (perhaps she presumes that gravity will accelerate the banana downward such that it hits the monkey). 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. The banana misses the monkey, moving over his head. The banana passes as far above the monkey's head as it was originally aimed. So let's suppose that the zookeeper aims at the monkey. Will this lead to success?

To further study 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 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. Detailed information is available there on the following topics:

Acceleration of Gravity

Acceleration of Gravity and the Independence of Mass

Projectiles

Characteristics of a Projectile's Trajectory