Question

A small ball is tied to a string and set rotating with negligible friction in a vertical circle. If the ball moves over the top of the circle at its slowest possible speed (so that the tension in the string is negligible), what is the tension in the string at the bottom of the circle, assuming there is no additional energy added to the ball during rotation?
An explanation would be very much appreciated as there are a few things I am confused about

- why is tension negligible at the top? Isn't there still a tension force pulling inward? I thought there would be two forces acting on the ball at the top of the circle, Fg and $F_T$ ?
- is finding a numerical value for this answer even possible? we don't have the mass of the ball

Answer 1

Since the tension in the string over the top of the circle is negligible, the tension in the string at the bottom of the circle will be zero.

What is Circular Motion ?

Circular motion is the same as rotational motion. That is, motion moving in a circle.

Given that a small ball is tied to a string and set rotating with negligible friction in a vertical circle. If the ball moves over the top of the circle at its slowest possible speed (so that the tension in the string is negligible)

Since the tension in the string over the top of the circle is negligible, the tension in the string at the bottom of the circle, assuming there is no additional energy added to the ball during rotation will be zero.

The tension is negligible at the top in order to allow the ball rotate. And since the tension is negligible, there no tension force pulling inward

Therefore, the numerical value of the answer is Zero.

Learn more about Circular motion here: brainly.com/question/20905151

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