Question:
A heavy mass is attached to a thin wire and is whirled in a vertical circle. The wire is most likely to break:
A heavy mass is attached to a thin wire and is whirled in a vertical circle. The wire is most likely to break:
Show Hint
The tension in the wire is maximum at the lowest point in the vertical circle due to the combined effect of gravity and centripetal force.
Updated On: Apr 22, 2026
- when the mass is at the highest point of the circle
- when the mass is at the lowest point of the circle
- when the wire is horizontal
- at an angle of \( \cos^{-1} \left( \frac{1}{3} \right) \) from the upward vertical
Show Solution
Verified By Collegedunia
The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understand the forces acting on the mass.
When the mass is whirled in a vertical circle, two forces act on it: - The tension in the wire (\( T \)), - The gravitational force (\( mg \)) acting downward. The tension in the wire is greatest when the mass is at the lowest point of the circle. This is because, at the lowest point, the tension must support both the centripetal force (required to maintain circular motion) and the weight of the mass.
Step 2: Analyze the forces at different points.
- At the highest point of the circle, the gravitational force aids in providing the centripetal force. Hence, the tension is less than at the lowest point. - At the lowest point, the tension in the wire must overcome both the centripetal force and the gravitational force, leading to maximum tension and increasing the likelihood of the wire breaking.
Step 3: Conclusion.
Therefore, the wire is most likely to break when the mass is at the lowest point of the circle.
When the mass is whirled in a vertical circle, two forces act on it: - The tension in the wire (\( T \)), - The gravitational force (\( mg \)) acting downward. The tension in the wire is greatest when the mass is at the lowest point of the circle. This is because, at the lowest point, the tension must support both the centripetal force (required to maintain circular motion) and the weight of the mass.
Step 2: Analyze the forces at different points.
- At the highest point of the circle, the gravitational force aids in providing the centripetal force. Hence, the tension is less than at the lowest point. - At the lowest point, the tension in the wire must overcome both the centripetal force and the gravitational force, leading to maximum tension and increasing the likelihood of the wire breaking.
Step 3: Conclusion.
Therefore, the wire is most likely to break when the mass is at the lowest point of the circle.
Was this answer helpful?
0
0
Top MET Physics Questions
- A coil of 100 turns and area $2 \times 10^{-2}m^2 $ is pivoted about a vertical diameter in a uniform magnetic field and carries a current of 5A. When the coil is held with its plane in north-south direction, it experiences a couple of 0.33 Nm. When the plane is east-west, the corresponding couple is 0.4 Nm, the value of magnetic induction is [Neglect earth's magnetic field]
- Radiation, with wavelength 6561 $?$ falls on a metal surface to produce photoelectrons. The electrons are made to enter a uniform magnetic field of $3 \times 10^{-4} T$. If the radius of the largest circular path followed by the electrons is 10 mm, the work function of the metal is close to :
- In intrinsic semiconductor at room temperature number of electrons and holes are
- A rope of mass $0.1\, kg$ is connected at the same height of two opposite walls. It is allowed to hang under its own weight. At [he contact point between the rope and the wall, the rope makes an angle $ \theta =10^{\circ} $ with respect to horizontal. The tension in the rope at its midpoint between the walls is
- At great distances from an electric dipole, the electric field strength due to the dipole varies with the distance as
View More Questions
Top MET Centripetal forces Questions
- A particle moves in a circle of radius 25 cm at two revolutions per second. The acceleration of the particle in \( \text{m/s}^{2} \) is:
- The coefficient of \( x^{24} \) in the expansion of \( (1+x^{2})^{12}(1+x^{12})(1+x^{24}) \) is
- A car turns on a road of radius \(300\,m\). Coefficient of friction = 0.3. Find maximum speed. (Take \(g=10\,m/s^2\))
- A particle of mass m is moving in a horizontal circle of radius R under the centripetal force \( = -\frac{k}{R^2} \) where k is a constant. What is the total energy of the particle?
- A particle p is moving in a circle of radius r with a uniform speed v, C is the centre of the circle and AB is the diameter. The angular velocity of p about A and C is in the ratio:
View More Questions
Top MET Questions
- A coil of 100 turns and area $2 \times 10^{-2}m^2 $ is pivoted about a vertical diameter in a uniform magnetic field and carries a current of 5A. When the coil is held with its plane in north-south direction, it experiences a couple of 0.33 Nm. When the plane is east-west, the corresponding couple is 0.4 Nm, the value of magnetic induction is [Neglect earth's magnetic field]
- $\int\limits_{0}^{8}| x -5| d x$ is equal to
- Radiation, with wavelength 6561 $?$ falls on a metal surface to produce photoelectrons. The electrons are made to enter a uniform magnetic field of $3 \times 10^{-4} T$. If the radius of the largest circular path followed by the electrons is 10 mm, the work function of the metal is close to :
- In intrinsic semiconductor at room temperature number of electrons and holes are
- Which of the following product is formed in the reaction $ CH_3MgBr {->[(i)CO_2][(ii)H_2O]} ? $
View More Questions