Discover the Influence of Horizontal Centripetal Force on Spinning Motion

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the dynamics of horizontal centripetal force in spinning motion, specifically when a weight is spun at the end of a string. As the speed of the spinning increases, the centripetal force, which is the tension in the string, also increases, causing the string to sag less. However, the weight's motion cannot become truly horizontal due to the constant downward force of gravity, which results in a net downward force and an acceleration component that prevents the string from achieving a horizontal position.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of centripetal force and its role in circular motion
  • Basic knowledge of gravitational force and its effects on objects
  • Familiarity with Newton's laws of motion
  • Concept of tension in strings and its relationship to forces
NEXT STEPS
  • Explore the mathematical formulation of centripetal force in circular motion
  • Investigate the effects of varying mass on tension and motion in spinning systems
  • Learn about the relationship between angular velocity and centripetal acceleration
  • Study the implications of gravitational force on different types of motion
USEFUL FOR

Physics students, educators, and anyone interested in understanding the principles of motion and forces in rotational dynamics.

LuisSLHS2013
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Imagine you are spinning a weight at the end of a string horizontally. As one increases the speed with which the weight is being spinned, the motion becomes more and more horizontal. I understand this occurs because the centripetal force (tension of the string) is increasing but at the same time the mg of the weight remains constant, thus the "sag" of the string disappears. My question ,though, is, Why does the motion never become truly horizontal?
 
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LuisSLHS2013 said:
Why does the motion never become truly horizontal?

The motion is horizontal, the weight will stay at the same height, but the string can't be horizontal because the force of the string would be horizontal, and you'd still have the force of gravity downwards, so you get a net force downwards, so the acceleration of the weight would have a downwards component as well, so it would move downwards, and then the string would no longer be horizontal
 

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