# Conical pendulum problem

1. Sep 28, 2008

### Benzoate

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

A particle is suspended from a fixed point by a light inextensible string of length a. Investigate 'conical motions' of this pendulum in which a string maintains a constant angle $$\theta$$with the downward vertical. Show that , for any acute angle theta
ex], a conical motion exists and that the particle speed u is given by u^2=a*g*sin($$\theta$$)*tan($$\theta$$)

2. Relevant equations

dv/dt= (r''-r($$\theta$$)^2)r-hat + (r($$\theta$$)''+2r'($$\theta$$)')$$\theta$$-hat

3. The attempt at a solution

since the motion of the particle goes around in a circle, I know that r''=r'=0; therefore :

dv/dt='-r($$\theta$$)^2)r-hat + (r($$\theta$$'$$\theta$$-hat

let \rho be the radius of the cricle; therefore \rho = L*sin($$\theta$$, L is the length of the string. the pendulum makes a circle in they xy plane. In the z direction, from the circle that lies on the xy plane to the top of the pendulum , k=L*cos(\theta)

I think there are three forces that act on the string: centripetal force, the gravitational force, the force of the inextensible string, and I think air resistance is small , so I can neglect air resistance.

-m*L*($$\theta$$)''=mg*cos($$\theta$$) - T+ mv^2/(L*cos($$\theta$$)
-m*L*($$\theta$$)''=mg*sin($$\theta$$)

I not sure if I need to integrate dv/dt to calculate the equation of motion and then square v after I have integrated dv/dt

2. Sep 29, 2008

### tiny-tim

Hi Benzoate!

I'm not really following your equations

There are two forces … tension, and gravitation … they have to match the acceleration

and the acceleration is purely radial (zero tangential) …

and you need to find T anyway …

try again!

3. Sep 29, 2008

### Benzoate

I would used the equation of acceleration in polar for right where:

a=(-r*($$\theta$$)^2')r-hat+(r*$$\theta''$$)theta-hat

Would the sum of the gravitational and tension forces be the sum of the centripetal force? If so then may=T*cos($$\theta$$)-mg=0==> T=mg/cos($$\theta$$), and max=T*sin($$\theta$$)==>ax= mg/cos($$\theta$$)*sin($$\theta$$)=mg*tan($$\theta$$) right?

r=L*sin($$\theta$$)

4. Sep 29, 2008

### tiny-tim

Hi Benzoate!

(have a theta: θ and a squared: ² )
Wow! That's perfect!

Now (since θ'' = 0 and rθ' = v), just use v²/r instead of rθ'² and you have the answer!

5. Sep 29, 2008

### Benzoate

Don't quite understand why $$\theta$$'' is zero. Here are my calculations :

mv2/L*sin($$\theta$$)=mg*tan($$\theta$$) , m cancel out and therefore I am left with: v2=g*tan($$\theta$$)*L*sin($$\theta$$)

6. Sep 29, 2008

### tiny-tim

Hi Benzoate!

(what happened to that θ I gave you?)