Question

A block of mass 0.4 kg is attached to a vertical rotating spindle of length 1.6 m by two springs each of length 1 m of equal lengths as shown in the Figure. The period of rotation is 1.2 seconds. Find the tension in the springs.

Answer 1

The sum of the horizontal components of tensions in the two springs will provide the necessary centripetal acceleration to the block. The vector sum of the vertical components of tensions in the two springs will balance the weight of the block.

Let T₁ and T₂ be the tension in the springs when these springs subtend an angle θ each with the horizontal direction. Let AB = R be the radius of circular path traversed by mass B in the horizontal plane.

Resolving T₁ and T₂ into rectangular component