Conical pendulum
A pendulum bob moving in a horizontal circle at constant radius, with the string making a constant angle to the vertical. The tension's vertical component balances weight; its horizontal component provides centripetal force.
Formula
T = 2π√(L cosθ / g)
Real World
A conical pendulum mechanism drives the escapement in some antique clock designs, maintaining steady rotation by using the geometry of the swinging bob to regulate timing.
Exam Focus
Draw a clear free-body diagram first; marks are lost for omitting the weight vector or misidentifying which tension component is centripetal.
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