Question

a ball of mass m is attached to a vertical rod by two massless strings. the rod is rotated about its axis so that both strings are taut, with tensions t1 and t2, respectively. the strings and rod form the right triangle shown in the figure above. the ball rotates in a horizontal circle of radius r with speed v. question what is the magnitude of the net force on the ball?

Answer 1

The net force on the ball is given by the magnitude of the tension in the strings, which can be found using the Pythagorean theorem as
`F_(net) = √(T1^2 + T2^2)`

In this problem, the ball is rotating in a horizontal circle of radius r with speed v. We need to find the magnitude of the net force on the ball. The net force on an object moving in uniform circular motion is given by the centripetal force, which is the force that keeps the object moving in a circle.

The centripetal force is provided by the tension in the strings. The tension in the first string is equal to the horizontal component of the net force, and the tension in the second string is equal to the vertical component of the net force.

`F_(net) = √(T1^2 + T2^2)`

The net force on the ball is always directed towards the centre of the circle in which the ball is rotating.