Question

A bead of mass m slides without friction on a vertical hoop of radius R . The bead moves under the combined action of gravity and a spring, with spring constant k , attached to the bottom of the hoop. Assume that the equilibrium (relaxed) length of the spring is R. The bead is released from rest at θ = 0 with a non-zero but negligible speed to the right.


(a) What is the speed v of the bead when θ = 90∘ ? Express your answer in terms of m, R, k, and g.

(b) What is the magnitude of the force the hoop exerts on the bead when θ = 90∘ ? Express your answer in terms of m, R, k, and g.