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This from Myth Busters: &nbsp;<a href="http://www.discovery.com/tv-shows/mythbusters/mythbusters-database/swing-all-the-way-around/" rel="ugc">http://www.discovery.com/tv-shows/mythbusters/mythbusters-database/swing-all-the-way-around/</a><br />
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Search for<b> chain swing over the top</b> for addition links.
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The only way this could happen with a chain swing would be if there was some kind of propulsion on the rider of the swing. &nbsp;They also did this on Mythbusters.<br />
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It is not physically possible.
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Oympic athletes spin round quite well on those parallel bars. Once they have the momentum worked up by bringing their knees in a couple of times it looks like most of their effort is spent in holding on while they go over the top. On a swing you would just need to be brave enough and keep your lunch inside. <br />
Perhaps one of this new generation of free-runners would be mad enough to try on a swing.
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Gymnasts are connected to the bar by stiff arms rather than floppy chains. &nbsp;Of course they can modulate the stiffness. &nbsp;But this is more like a wooden swing.<br />
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If the distance between the CM of the swinger and the pivot is h, then the distance between the swinger's high and low points is 2h.<br />
For the swinger to reach the top, his kinetic energy at the bottom ( ½mv² ) must be greater than the change in gravitational potential ( 2mgh).
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And as soon as the chain starts wrapping the center of gravity would shift even more speeding up the person on the swing.<br />
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This would get real ugly real quick.
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That was something we considered as teenagers and one of the reasons we didn't try. Another reason was that the swings were set in asphalt which would have made a very uncomfortable landing if something went wrong.
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Here's one that goes over. Maybe not obeying the rules of how to use a swing properly, but neither is being too old for the playground, standing up, or going over the top.<br />
If I'd seen this as a child I'd say I saw someone swing right over:<br />
<a href="https://youtu.be/0F9bSS4zgHY" rel="ugc">https://youtu.be/0F9bSS4zgHY</a>
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The main way this could occur with a chain swing would be if there was some sort of drive on the rider of the swing. They likewise did this on Mythbusters. otherwise its not conceivable.
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When you say drive, do you mean someone pushing them to help increase the swing?<br />
Surely that would be acceptable for an answer to this question.<br />
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Or are you suggesting a rotating motor turning the bar that the swing hangs off like an axle?
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Here is a great discussion on this topic: &nbsp;<a href="http://ask.metafilter.com/232992/Extreme-playground" rel="ugc">http://ask.metafilter.com/232992/Extreme-playground</a><br />
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And here is video of someone who manages an over-the-top with a chain swing: &nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/embed/c0zAzqSa-5o" rel="ugc">https://www.youtube.com/embed/c0zAzqSa-5o</a><br />
[He needs a compressed air/water jet engine.]
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As a child 60 odd years ago I witnessed the daredevils amongst us swing on park swings which comprised of wood seats and chains gain enough momentum to go completely over the top. A guy has posted on Physics-Astronomy that he believes it is not possible and I have not recalled this properly. &nbsp;I have questioned several of my friends and they remember it too. I don't know physics I just am learning about astronomy at this late stage in my life. How can I convince him this is true in a simple fashion because I truly witnessed this happening many times?
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As a child 60 odd years ago I witnessed the daredevils amongst us swing on park swings which comprised of wood seats and chains gain enough momentum to go completely over the top. A guy has posted on Physics-Astronomy that he believes it is not possible and I have not recalled this properly.  I have questioned several of my friends and they remember it too. I don't know physics I just am learning about astronomy at this late stage in my life. How can I convince him this is true in a simple fashion because I truly witnessed this happening many times?

Physics

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