Circular motion vertical force

AI Thread Summary
In horizontal circular motion influenced by gravity, an object cannot maintain a completely horizontal string without a vertical force component. If the string is horizontal, it exerts only horizontal force, requiring another force, like normal force, to counteract gravity. For an object in uniform circular motion above ground, the string must have some vertical angle to provide necessary tension. Without this angle, the object would not be able to remain in circular motion due to the lack of vertical support. Understanding these forces is crucial for analyzing circular motion dynamics.
ramanakumars
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Hi everyone,
If you have a horizontal circular motion (with gravity action on the object), what holds the object up in the horizontal plane? All vertical components of the tension go to zero when the angle with the vertical axis is 90°... Where am I going wrong?

Thanks

Ramana
 
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Why would the angle with the vertical axis be 90° rather than something a bit less than that?
 
Do you mean to say that even theoretically, you cannot have an object in uniform circular motion completely with the attached string completely horizontal?
 
ramanakumars said:
Do you mean to say that even theoretically, you cannot have an object in uniform circular motion completely with the attached string completely horizontal?
Right. For the reason that you are pointing out. If the string were horizontal, there would be no vertical component of force.
 
ramanakumars said:
Do you mean to say that even theoretically, you cannot have an object in uniform circular motion completely with the attached string completely horizontal?

In that case, the force the string exerts on the body is horizontal, so there must be another force that compensates the weight force. If the body is doing its horizontal uniform circular motion sliding on horizantal ground, then it is the normal (support) force that compensates the weight.

If the body is doing its horizontal uniform circular motion above ground, and there is no other force acting on the body (just the weight and the tension of the string), then the string can not be totally horizontal.
 
I see... Thanks for clearing that up guys! Makes perfect sense!
 

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