A mass of 1.1 kg is attached to two cords. The cords are each an angle 30 degrees above and below the horizontal, The mass circles around the vertical pole at a fixed speed of 15 m/s in a circle of radius 0.50 m. How do I calculate the magnitude of the net force and the tension on the upper cord? Please help

Question

A mass of 1.1 kg is attached to two cords. The cords are each an angle  30 degrees above and below the horizontal, The mass circles around the vertical pole at a fixed speed of 15 m/s in a circle of radius 0.50 m. How do I calculate the magnitude of the net force and the tension on the upper cord? Please help

bobpursley · Answer

On the two cords, use symettry arguements: the vertical components will cancel (equal and opposide directions), so the tension in the upper cord= 1/2 net force/cosTheta net force= mv^2/r tension= 1/2 mv^2/(rcosTheta)