Help with conical pendulum problem

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The conical pendulum problem involves a 500g ball attached to a 1.0m string, moving in a horizontal circle with a radius of 20cm. The tension in the string is calculated using the equation Tcos(theta) = mg, resulting in a tension force of 5N. The vertical component of acceleration is zero due to the absence of vertical motion, confirming that the tension force should be represented on the y-axis at 90 degrees and the weight force at 270 degrees in the free body diagram (FBD).

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of conical pendulum dynamics
  • Knowledge of free body diagrams (FBD)
  • Familiarity with trigonometric functions in physics
  • Basic grasp of Newton's laws of motion
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of tension in conical pendulums
  • Explore the relationship between angular velocity and tension
  • Learn about circular motion and centripetal force
  • Investigate the effects of varying mass and string length on tension
USEFUL FOR

Students studying physics, particularly those focusing on mechanics and circular motion, as well as educators looking for examples of conical pendulum problems.

pammy345
Messages
1
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



okay here is the problem: A conical pendulum is formed by attaching a 500g ball to a 1.0m long string, then allowing the mass to move in a horizontal circle of radius 20cm. What is the tension in the string?

Homework Equations



My professor gave a hint that said use the fact that the vertical component of acceleration is zero since there is no vertical motion.

If i use the equation Tcos(theta)=mg, i get the given answer 5N. if this is correct should my Tension force be on the y-axis at 90 degrees on my FBD and my weight force on the y-axis at 270 degrees?
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
pammy345 said:
If i use the equation Tcos(theta)=mg, i get the given answer 5N. if this is correct should my Tension force be on the y-axis at 90 degrees on my FBD and my weight force on the y-axis at 270 degrees?
Sounds good to me :approve:
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
3K
Replies
8
Views
3K