The Physics of Jimi Hendrix

What were the forces acting on Hendrix at the 1969 Woodstock Festival? 

1969 Woodstock Festival

Picture
  • Possibly the biggest gathering of people for a musical cause. 
  • Over 500,000 people all in Bethal, New York. 
  • 3 days of nothing but solid performances by different bands.
  • Jimi Hendrix and the Gypsy Suns were the last group to go on and play at the 1969 Woodstock Festival. 
  • Hendrix's acapella rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner was played at Woodstock. It became one of the defining moments in the 60's for America.


The Forces Acting on Hendrix:


  • The force of gravity due to Hendrix's weight. 
  • The normal force perpindicular to the surface of contact between him and the stage.
  • The force of the wah-pedal on his foot, and his foot on the wah-pedal. 
  • The force of his guitar hanging from his strap across his shoulder and leaning against his chest. Therefore the guitar strap exerts a force on his shoulder which in turn exerts a force back on the strap. And his body exerts a force on the guitar in order to keep the system in equilibrium. 
  • The force of his pick on the strings causes harmonic resonance by the guitar.