The Physics of Flying Trapeze

In this investigation, we discover how energy changes from kinetic to potential during your swing, calculate how long a swing takes, and work out what speed a flyer travels at.

In this investigation, we look at how you can change your swing by starting higher or being taller, and how this affects the timing.

We use the example of a trick from Swinging Trapeze to demonstrate how the length of the pendulum changes the swing.

We use our simple model to show how catch timings work.

We look at the best time to catch, and the best time to leave the bar at the end of a trick.

Explaining the Advanced Swing, and how flyers use it to gain height.

We will show how the flyer can use momentum in the swing to their advantage when getting their legs up for a Knee Hang.

We look how much weight the catcher is holding during a catch, and why timing is crucial for a smooth catch.

We look at how the Safety Lines work and take the example of different sizes of flyers.

We pause to explain a few concepts like Angular Momentum and Moment of Inertia before using them in the next chapter.

We look into more advanced tricks that involve somersaults and twists, and show how they are achieved.

A list of the some of the sources of inspiration for this study.

All about where energy comes and goes during the oscillation.

All about the swing and how the flyer gains height.

All about missing catches and how to flip over in mid-air while falling, like a cat.