Question

An apple is whirled round in a horizontal circle on the end of a string which is tied to the stalk. It is whirled faster and faster and at a certain speed the apples is torn from the stalk.Why?

Answer 1

when the apple moves in a horizontal circle, the tension force in the string provides the necessary centripetal force to move in circle. the tension in the string is given as

T=mv²/r

where T = tension force in the string , m = mass of the apple

v = speed of apple , r = radius of circle.

clearly , tension force depends on the square of the speed. hence greater the speed, greater will be the tension force.

at some point , the speed becomes large enough that it makes the tension force in the string becomes greater than the tensile strength of the string. at that point , the string breaks