The tension is smallest at the top, if the speed is in fact enough to make the top without the tension going to zero.
At top:
Tension + m g = m v^2/R
tension = m (v^2/R - g)
if the centripetal acceleration is not greater than g, the rope goes slack.
A ball on the end of a rope is moving in a vertical circle near the surface of the earth. Point A F T is at the top of the circle; C is at the bottom. Points B and D are exactly halfway between A and C. Which one of the following statements concerning the tension in the rope is true?
A. The tension is smallest at point C.
B. The tension is smallest at both points B and D.
C. The tension is smallest at point A.
D. The tension is the same at points A and C.
E. The tension is the same at all four points.
1 answer