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.

DS
Answered by Daniel S. Physics tutor

3050 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

This is a question on the photoelectric effect: For potassium, the work function is 3.65E-19J. Find the maximum wavelength of light that will cause photoelectrons to be emitted when shone onto potassium.


A car of mass 1500kg is travelling at 10 ms-1 along a horizontal road. A brake force of 3000N brings it to rest. Calculate the deceleration of the car and the distance travelled by the car whilst decelerating.


I do 400J of work compressing a gas, but I maintain the same temperature. What is the delta U, Q and W in this case?


Newton's Law of Gravitation states: F=GMm/r^2, where G is the gravitational constant (6.67×10−11m^3kg^−1s^−2). Kepler's Third Law, states t^2=kR^3. The mass of the sun is 1.99x10^30kg. Find the value of k and its units


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning