Question

Question #e5ff1

Answer 1

At the bottom

Explanation:

For the body to continue with circular motion, a centripetal force is required. If we assume the body moves at the same speed, then the centripetal force will be constant `F_c=mv^2/r`

If we define T as the tension and mg as the object's weight

At the bottom:
`T_b-mg = F_c` .
Tension always acts towards the centre. The tension net of the weight has to provide the centripetal force. This can rearranged as:

`T_b= F_c+mg`

At the top:
`T_t+mg= F_c`. The tension and the weight provide centripetal force, which is the same as:

`T_t=F_c-mg`

And at middle:
`T_m=F_c` (weight acts perpendicular to tension and centripetal force, so affects neither)

Hence if `F_c` is constant, then the tension is greatest at the bottom.