Análisis experimental del palo volador: comparación con un modelo teórico y analogías con movimientos astronómicos

Abstract

Esta tesis nació cuando decidí acompañar a mi hermano a Chichicastenango, Quiché, en diciembre del 2022, donde tuve la oportunidad de apreciar la danza del Palo Volador por primera vez. Para mí fue impactante observar su altura y su mecanismo, además de lo impresionante que fue ver a dos personas atadas descendiendo con solamente una cuerda. Con mis conocimientos adquiridos durante la carrera, en cursos como física experimental, mecánica clásica e introducción a la astronomía, logré realizar un estudio preliminar del Palo Volador en diferentes locaciones de Guatemala, convirtiéndome de forma inesperada pionera en un estudio de este tipo.

An experimental study of the traditional Palo Volador dance is presented; data were collected at three locations in Guatemala. The objective of this work is to compare the experimental data obtained in a 3D-printed replica of the Palo Volador with the dimensions reported in a reference article, the Palo Volador in Joyabaj, Quiché and in San Pedro La Laguna, Sololá with the simulation of a theoretical model, using regression fitting and a machine learning method called symbolic regression. In addition, it seeks to find out if an analogy can be established between Kepler’s first and second laws by analyzing three revolutions of the Palo Volador in Chichicastenango, Quiché and in San Pedro La Laguna, Sololá. An innovative strategy for acquiring experimental data was designed using professional equipment; drones and cameras, allowing the analysis of a dancer’s motion from different angles. To our knowledge, this is the first time that Palos Voladores data in Guatemala have been recorded, recollected, and analyzed, positioning this work as a pioneering effort by integrating experimental data. Comparisons were made in the fundamental variables: l (rope length), r (radius), z (height), θ (zenith angle) and φ (azimuthal angle), demonstrating that there are discrepancies and coincidences with the theoretical physical model.