The Physics Classroom

Mechanics: Circular Motion and Gravitation

Circular Motion and Gravitation: Audio Guided Solution

Problem 9:

In an effort to rev up his class, Mr. H does a demonstration with a bucket of water tied to a 1.3-meter long string. The bucket and water have a mass of 1.8 kg. Mr. H whirls the bucket in a vertical circle such that it has a speed of 3.9 m/s at the top of the loop and 6.4 m/s at the bottom of the loop.

a. Determine the acceleration of the bucket at each location.
b. Determine the net force experienced by the bucket at each location.
c. Draw a free body diagram for the bucket for each location and determine the tension force in the string for the two locations.

Audio Guided Solution


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a. TOP: 12 m/s/s, down
BOTTOM: 32 m/s/s, up
b. TOP: 21 N, down
BOTTOM: 57 N, up
c. TOP: 3.4 N
BOTTOM: 74 N

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