Central University of Rajasthan (CURaj)

Department of Physics

I.M.S. and B.Tech. 2019 :

PHY401 : MECHANICS
SEMESTER : August-November 2019

KPN
23-24 September 2019

Conical Pendulum
A thin, rigid, mass-
less, rod of length l is
hooked to a solid cylin-
der; to the other end of
the rod, a solid sphere
of mass m is attached.
Let the cylinder rotate
α with a constant angu-
lar speed ω. When
the cylinder rotates the
rod would swing out-
wards and sweep a
l cone; Hence we call the
set-up a conical pendu-
lum. Let α be the an-
gle made by the rod
with the vertical.
T The mass would ex-
ecutes a uniform circu-
lar motion; let the ra-
r dius of the circle swept,
be r. Our aim is find
how α varies with ω.
Common sense sug-
mg gests that when the
solid cylinder rotates
Figure 1: Conical pendulum faster, the string would
swing outward further,
and hence α would increase.
First let us list the forces we must reckon with, for solving the problem. There
are only two forces acting on the spherical mass: the gravity that pulls the mass
down; the tension in the rod that keeps the mass at a constant distance of l from
the anchor point in the cylinder.
 We have,

T cos α = mg (1)

T sin α = mrω 2 (2)

In the right hand side of equation (2), substitute r = l sin α. We get,

T sin α = mlω 2 sin α (3)

Let us cancel the term sin α from both sides of the above equation 1 , and get,

T = mlω 2 . (4)

Eliminating T in the above employing equation (1), we get

mg
= mlω 2
cos α

Cancel m from both sides of the above equation2 , we get, the desired relation,
g
cos α = (5)
lω 2
Let us take a careful look at equation (5).

Consider the limit of ω → ∞

In this limit cos α → 0. Equivalently α → π/2.

Physically this means that when the solid cylinder rotates faster and faster, the
rod with the attached solid sphere would swing out farther and farther; the rod
would become almost perpendicular to the axis of rotation.
I think we understand the solution in this limit.

Consider the limit ω → 0

In this limit cos α → ∞.

This is absurd. p
The value of cos α can not exceed unity. In other words for ω < g/l, the
solution given by equation (5) is not valid.
Definitely we have committed a mistake in our mathematics.
Look at the way we went from equation (3) to (4) by cancelling sin α. We can
not do this cancellation if α = 0 i.e. if sin α = 0.
For α = 0, we have T = mg. Also we have mrω 2 = 0. This is possible when
m = 0 and/or ω = 0; these are trivial situations.
1
Can we do this .... always ?
2
we can always do this since m > 0.

2
 However such a solution is possible when r = 0 with m and ω taking non-zero
values. It means the spherical bob does not sweep any circle; it remains vertical
spinning around its axis. Thus the solution cos α = 1 seems to be valid for all
values of ω. g
There are two solutions : 1. cos α = 1 2. cos α =
lω 2
Both are valid solutions.
Let us digress a little bit and talk about stability of an
equilibrium state of a system. A system is in equilibrium
if it does not change with time.

Unstable Equilibrium
Look at the figure on the left depicting a ball placed at the
top of a convex surface;
it shall continue to re-
main there; we say
the system is in equi-
librium. But, if
Figure 2: Unstable equilibrium
you disturb the ball
by moving it slightly,
then it will roll and move away from its equilibrium state.
It will not return to its equilibrium state spontaneously on
its own accord. We call it an unstable equilibrium state.

Stable Equilibrium
Look at the figure on the right; a ball is placed at the
bottom of a concave surface;
it shall continue re-
main there; we say
the system is in equi-
librium; even if we
Figure 3: Stable Equilibrium disturb the ball and
leave it, then the ball
will spontaneously return to its equilibrium state; it will
oscillate around the equilibrium position; the oscillations
would eventually damp out and the ball will rest at its
equilibrium state. We call it stable equilibrium state.

Let us now return to the problem of the conical pendulum.

The first solution cos α = 1por α = 0 is valid for all values of ω; but this
solution is stable only for ω < g/l. p
When the solid cylinder is rotating with angular speed less than g/l, the
pendulum remains vertical. Even if you disturb it, it will quickly revert back to its
vertical disposition in due time. p
However when the solid cylinder rotates faster such that ω exceeds g/l),
the first solution is unstable; even a small disturbance would throw the pendu-
lum outwards and it will start tracing a circle, as dictated by the second solution :

3
Figure 4: Conical pendulum solution. Taken from D Klepner, and R Kolenkow, An Introduction
to Mechanics, McGraw-Hill Education (India) Private Limited (2009) page.78

cos α = g/(lω 2 ); the value of α shall be lrager, for larger values of ω; in the limit
ω → ∞, α = π/2. p
The second solution cos α = g/(lω 2p ) is not valid for ω < g/l. This
solution is valid and it is stable for ω > g/l.
Thus we have,
 p

 1 stable for ω < pg/l
and unstable for ω > g/l






cos α = (6)

 g p
valid and stable for ω > g/l



 lω 2

 p
not valid for ω < g/l