Centripetal Force: Ball in Vertical Circle at Constant Speed

AI Thread Summary
In a vertical circle, the tension in the rope is at its maximum when the ball is at the bottom of the circle due to the combined effects of gravitational force and centripetal acceleration. At this point, the tension must counteract the weight of the ball while providing the necessary centripetal force to maintain circular motion. The forces acting on the ball include gravity pulling down and tension pulling up. When the ball is at the top of the circle, the tension is at its minimum because gravity and tension both act in the same direction. Understanding these forces is crucial for explaining the dynamics of the ball's motion in a vertical circle.
eddyy08
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A ball is swung around in a vertical circle at constant speed. Where is the ball when the tension in the rope is at maximum / minimum?
I know where the ball is, how would I explain it?
 
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eddyy08 said:
A ball is swung around in a vertical circle at constant speed. Where is the ball when the tension in the rope is at maximum / minimum?
I know where the ball is, how would I explain it?

Welcome to PF.

So where is it at its maximum tension?
 
Thank you -
at maximum tension its at the bottom of the circle
 
eddyy08 said:
Thank you -
at maximum tension its at the bottom of the circle

And when you draw a picture at the bottom what forces are acting on the object that tend to make the tension maximum?
 
Force of gravity, centripetal acceleration toward the center of the circle, and probably something else
 
eddyy08 said:
Force of gravity, centripetal acceleration toward the center of the circle, and probably something else

The centripetal acceleration of the object is toward the center, but it's caused by the tension pulling up, making the object describe a circular path isn't it? What else is the tension pulling up for - weight? So those two together ...

Is there anything else that you think is acting on the object? I don't see it based on your statement of the problem.
 
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