# Finding the tension of the string (vertical circular motion)

1. Mar 28, 2014

### littlebearrrr

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

A ball of mass 125g is attached to a string .900 meters long. It is then set into vertical circular motion with 38 RPM. What is the tension of the string at the top of the circle and at the bottom of the circle?

2. Relevant equations

3. The attempt at a solution

First, I found T (period) by using the given RPM:
(38 rev/1 min)(1 min/60 s) = 0.633 rev/s --> 1.58 s per revolution = T

arad = 4∏2(.900 m) / (1.58 s)2 = 14.23 m/s2

Finding the tension at the top of the circle:
The only forces acting on the ball at the top are its weight and the tension force acting in the same direction (downward). With these facts, I apply Newton's second law for the vertical direction and solve for the tension -
∑Fy = may = marad = w + T
T = marad - w = (.125 kg)(14.23 m/s2) - (.125 kg)(9.81 m/s2) = 0.553 N

Finding the tension at the bottom of the circle:
At the bottom, the forces now oppose each other. The tension is directed upward, while the weight remains directed down. Again, I apply Newton's second law -
∑Fy = may = marad = T - w
T = marad + w = (.125 kg)(14.23 m/s2) + (.125 kg)(9.81 m/s2) = 3.01 N

Just checking to see if this is correct. Thank you in advance!

Last edited: Mar 28, 2014
2. Mar 28, 2014

### dauto

Yes, it's correct, except the part where you said 0.633 rev/s = 1.58 s per revolution. That's wrong. But it didn't affect your answer.

3. Mar 28, 2014

### littlebearrrr

Ah, so it was just supposed to be 1.58s? Also, thanks for checking my answer. Appreciate it!

4. Mar 28, 2014

### dauto

No, the problem is that the correct equation is 0.633 rev/s = 1/(1.58 s per revolution)

5. Mar 28, 2014

### littlebearrrr

Oh, got it! Thanks for pointing that out; I fixed it above. I have a bad habit of equating the wrong things when reporting answers sometimes, even when the answer is right. I definitely need to work on that.

6. Mar 28, 2014

### dauto

That happens because you're mentally saying "equal" when you ought to say "therefore". The mathematical symbol for therefore is an arrow $\Rightarrow$.