A conical pendulum is a mass suspended from a point that traces out a horizontal circle. By balancing the weight with the tension in the string, determine the speed of the bob.

Draw a free-body diagram for the mass with the pendulum suspended at an angle θ to the vertical. The tension in the rope is T and the radius of the circle is r.
Firstly, resolve horizontal forces and equate to the centripetal force: Tsinθ = mv^2/r (1), where v is the speed of the bob . Resolve vertical forces Tcosθ-mg = 0 --> Tcosθ = mg (2). Divide (1) and (2) to eliminate T --> sinθ/cosθ = tanθ = v^2/rg. Rearrange for v to get v = (rgtanθ)^1/2.

Answered by Daniel S. Physics tutor

2159 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

Water flows through an electric shower at a rate of 6kg per minute. Assuming no heat is transferred to the surroundings, what power is required to heat the water by 20K as it flow through the shower?


Derive an expression to show that for satellites in a circular orbit T^2 ∝ r^3 where T is the period of orbit and r is the radius of the orbit.


Describe and explain the motion of a skydiver from leaving the aircraft to reaching terminal velocity


On the line of centres between the Earth and the Moon, there is a point where the net gravitational force is zero. Given that the distance between the two is 385,000 km, and that the Earth has a mass 81x that of the Moon, how far is this point from Earth?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo
Cookie Preferences