What is the horizontal component of tension in a pendulum's motion?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around understanding the components of tension in a pendulum's motion, specifically questioning the horizontal component of tension at various points in the swing. The original poster references a quote from a mechanics textbook regarding the tension in a tilted string and its components at different positions of the pendulum.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the conditions under which tension has a horizontal component, questioning the accuracy of the textbook statement regarding tension at the highest point of the swing. They discuss the implications of the string being tilted and the nature of restoring forces in the context of pendulum motion.

Discussion Status

The conversation is ongoing, with participants providing insights and questioning assumptions about the setup described in the textbook. Some guidance has been offered regarding the components of tension and the ambiguity surrounding restoring forces, but no consensus has been reached on the correctness of the textbook's claims.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating the complexities of pendulum dynamics, including the effects of angle and tension on motion. There is a noted ambiguity in the problem setup, particularly regarding the orientation of the string at the highest point of the swing.

Carbon123
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1. The problem statement, all variables and given/knowns
So basically,I am confused by this quote in David Morin's Problems and Solutions in Introductory Mechanics that says:
the tension in the tilted string has a nonzero horizontal component (except at the highest points where the tension is zero and the lowest point where the string is vertical).

Morin, David. Problems and Solutions in Introductory Mechanics (p. 52). . Kindle Edition.
Doesn't T have a value that is M g cosx at the highest point ?


Homework Equations


∑F=mωr

The Attempt at a Solution


If there is no Tension then what is causing the acceleration to have a horizontal component ? (because Mg is Pointing downwards)Is it Mg sinx ?
Thanks in Advance
 
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WinstonC said:
except at the highest points where the tension is zero
That would be true if, and only if, the string is horizontal at the highest point. Is that the set-up being discussed?
WinstonC said:
Doesn't T have a value that is M g cosx at the highest point ?
Yes.
 
haruspex said:
That would be true if, and only if, the string is horizontal at the highest point. Is that the set-up being discussed?

Yes.
haruspex said:
That would be true if, and only if, the string is horizontal at the highest point. Is that the set-up being discussed?

Yes.
Thanks for replying.It says that the string was tilted.So,was the book incorrect ? What is the restoring force during a pendulum's oscillation ?
 
WinstonC said:
Thanks for replying.It says that the string was tilted.So,was the book incorrect ? What is the restoring force during a pendulum's oscillation ?
The book is incorrect to say there is no horizontal component to the tension when the pendulum is at its highest point.
You asked, previously:
WinstonC said:
Doesn't T have a value that is M g cosx at the highest point ?
and I confirmed that, but that is the whole tension. What is the horizontal component of that?

Regarding restoring force, that's slightly ambiguous. You can consider the horizontal component of tension, or the tangential component of gravity. For small angles the difference is unimportant. In a thorough treatment, the tension at some point of the swing would also have a centripetal component. So I am not certain how to advise you without seeing the whole question.
 

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