Describe, using a diagram, the forces acting on the system of an object tethered to a string, rotating around a fixed point in free space. Will the string ever become horizontal?

Firstly, I would start by drawing a diagram of the system on the whiteboard, showing the object attached to the string, and the string at a fixed point. I would show using arrows that the object was rotating at a velocity, v, at a radius, r, from the fixed point. Then I would proceed to label the forces. Firstly there is the centripetal force due to the rotation of the object, which points along the direction of the string towards the centre of the system. There is then a reaction force, also known as tension in the string, acting in equal magnitude and in the opposite direction to the centripetal force. Then, if the object is rotating in free space there is gravity acting upon the object, causing it to have a downwards force due to the weight of the object. The string would never be horizontal on Earth due to the weight of the object due to gravity, however if you went into space the string could become horizontal. Here I would draw a diagram of the forces acting upon the system as a triangle, showing how it can never reach horizontal on Earth, no matter the size of the centripetal force.

SS
Answered by Simon S. Physics tutor

4400 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

Explain why an object moving around a circle is said to be accelerating when it has no resultant force acting upon it.


An ultraviolet wave of continuous frequency reflects from a solid surface back in the direction of the transmitter. Assuming no amplitude is lost, describe and explain the behaviour of the particles in the medium between the transmitter and surface.


A body is moving at 70km/h and has a mass of 130kg, calculate its maximum kinetic energy.


Electrons moving in a beam have the same de Broglie wavelength as protons in a separate beam moving at a speed of 2.8 × 10^4 m/s . What is the speed of the electrons?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning