How Does String Tension Vary with Position in Vertical Circular Motion?

AI Thread Summary
In the discussion on string tension in vertical circular motion, participants analyze the differences in tension at the top and bottom of the circle for a ball attached to a string. The tension at the bottom, T_b, is calculated as T_b = (v_b^2/L)*m + mg, while the tension at the top, T_t, is expressed as T_t = m(-v_t^2/L) - mg. The key focus is on finding the difference T_b - T_t, which participants initially calculated incorrectly. Corrections highlight that the energy difference between the top and bottom must be factored in, leading to the conclusion that the correct tension difference is 6mg. The discussion emphasizes careful attention to mechanical energy conservation in solving the problem.
Kchu
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A ball of mass m is attached to a string of length . It is being swung in a vertical circle with enough speed so that the string remains taut throughout the ball's motion. Assume that the ball travels freely in this vertical circle with negligible loss of total mechanical energy. To avoid confusion, take the upward direction to be positive throughout the problem. At the top and bottom of the vertical circle, label the ball's speeds V_t and V_b, and label the corresponding tensions in the string T_t and T_b

Find T_b-T_T, the difference between the tension in the string at the bottom relative to that at the top of the circle.

Express the difference in tension in terms of m and g

The tension in the bottom i got was

T_b=v_b^2/L*m+(m*g)

the tension in the top i got was

T_t=m(-v_t^2/L)-m*g

to relate these and the total mech i did
v_t^2 =v_b^2-4*g*L

and i solved and i got 4*m*g and it marked it wrong saying "Check the energy difference between top and bottom in your calculation." can anyone help?
 
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1.
T_t=m(-v_t^2/L)-m*g
This should be written as
T_t=m[(-v_t)^2/L]-m*g
2.
T_b - T_t = [v_b^2/L*m+(m*g)] - [m(-v_t^2/L)-m*g]=(m/L)(v_b^2 - V_t^2) +2mg
 
Your equations were right but you solved them incorrectly, i think the correct answer is 6mg.
 
o man ! I have not solved the equations but indicated the mistakes and written the equation as the value of (v_b^2 - V_t^2) is already calculated by Kchu as 4gL, sbstituting this in equation you will get your answer.
 
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