Very brief explanation please? - Newt 2nd Law w/ Circular Motion

AI Thread Summary
In the discussion about a conical pendulum, the user initially struggles to understand why the radial acceleration is derived using T*sin(θ) instead of T*cos(θ). They mistakenly confuse the conical pendulum with a regular 2-D pendulum, leading to their confusion about the forces involved. The correct approach involves recognizing that T*sin(θ) represents the component of tension acting perpendicular to the radial direction, which is essential for calculating radial acceleration. The user realizes their mistake and expresses a desire to retract their question, indicating a moment of clarity. This highlights the importance of understanding the geometry of the system when analyzing forces in circular motion.
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Consider a conical pendulum with a weight on it and that makes some angle with the vertical. I am told to find the radial acceleration of the weight and someone showed me how it is solved but I don't understand why:

I am told to set

Tsin@ = m(ar) *ar = radial acceleration
ar = (Tsin@)/m

I was wondering why it would be T*SIN* instead of T*COS*? Tcos@ would give you the force that is parallel with radial acceleration, Tsin@ gives you a force that is perpendicular to the radial acceleration... Please help me! I don't understand this - only should take a few seconds. Thanks! XP
 
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AHHHH OHHH NEVERMIND! Sorry... *CONICAL* pendulum, lol I was thinking of a regular, 2-D pendulum. I would delete this if I could, but I can't =\ But no need to respond anyone! So silly!
 

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