A small stone tied to a string is whirled in a vertical circle
PHYSICS · Single correct · A Level · Physics · Further mechanics and thermal physics · Further mechanics and thermal physics
Problem
A small stone tied to a string is whirled in a vertical circle. When the stone is momentarily at the highest point of the circle, which forces have components directed toward the centre of the circle?
(a) only the tension in the string
(b) both the tension in the string and the weight of the stone
(c) only the weight of the stone
(d) neither tension nor weight; a separate "centripetal force" acts toward the centre