Problem 6-53 parts (a), (b), and (c) Centripetal force - D
A conical pendulum consists of a mass (the bob) on the end of a string. As the bob travels in a horizontal circle at constant speed, the string traces out a cone. For the pendulum shown, mass \(m = 1.95\; kg\), length \(l = 1.03\; m\), and angle \(\theta = 36.9^\circ\).
(a) Draw a free body diagram for the bob at the instant shown.
(b) What force constitutes the centripetal force?
(c) Determine the speed of the bob.
No. The "centripetal force" is not an independent force. It must be the centrally-acting part of real forces - weight, tension, friction, etc.