Question

A child whirls a ball in a vertical circle. Assuming the speed of the ball is constant (an approximation), when would the tension in the cord connected to the ball be greatest?

a. A little after the bottom of the circle when the ball is climbing.
b. A little before the bottom of the circle when the ball is descending quickly.
c. At the bottom of the circle.
d. Nowhere; the cord is stretched the same amount at all points.
e. At the top of the circle.

Answer 1

C. At the bottom of the circle.

Step-by-step explanation:

Lets take

Radius of the circle = r

Mass = m

Tension = T

Angular speed = ω

The radial acceleration towards = a

a= ω² r

Weight due to gravity = mg

At the bottom condition

T - m g = m a

T = m ω² r + m g

At the top condition

T + m g = m a

T= m ω² r -m g

From above equation we can say that tension is grater when ball at bottom of the vertical circle.

Therefore the answer is C.

C. At the bottom of the circle.