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

2693 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

What is gravitational potential energy? Why is it negative?


The mercury atoms in a fluorescent tube are excited and then emit photons in the ultraviolet region of the elecrtomagnetic spectrum. Explain how the mercury atoms become excited.


When light above the threshold frequency of a metal is shone on the metal, photoelectrons are emitted. If the power of the light halves, are the maximum kinetic energy of the photoelectrons and/or the number of photoelectrons altered, and if so, how?


What do you understand by simple harmonic motion?


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:

© 2025 by IXL Learning