A mass m is attached to a thin wire and whirled in a vertical circle. The wire is most likely to break when :
- the wire is horizontal
- inclined at an angle of 60 from vertical
- the mass is at the lowest point
- the mass is at the highest point
Answer
(3) the mass is at the lowest point
Solution
At an angle θ from the lowest point, tension in the wire is:
T = mv2r + mg
At the lowest point = 0 , so = 1 is maximum, and the speed v is also maximum there.
⇒ Tmax = mvL2r + mg at the lowest point
∴ The wire is most likely to break when the mass is at the lowest point.
Answer: (3)