Question #e5ff1

1 Answer
Matt
Apr 7, 2016

At the bottom

Explanation:

For the body to continue with circular motion, a centripetal force is required. If we assume the body moves at the same speed, then the centripetal force will be constant F_c=mv^2/r

If we define T as the tension and mg as the object's weight

At the bottom:
T_b-mg = F_c .
Tension always acts towards the centre. The tension net of the weight has to provide the centripetal force. This can rearranged as:

T_b= F_c+mg

At the top:
T_t+mg= F_c. The tension and the weight provide centripetal force, which is the same as:

T_t=F_c-mg

And at middle:
T_m=F_c (weight acts perpendicular to tension and centripetal force, so affects neither)

Hence if F_c is constant, then the tension is greatest at the bottom.

Related questions
See all questions in Defining Force
Impact of this question
1666 views around the world
You can reuse this answer
Creative Commons License