A ball is swung in a vertical circle. At the highest point of the circle, what i

A ball is swung in a vertical circle. At the highest point of the circle, what is the condition for the ball to just maintain its circular motion?

A ball is swung in a vertical circle. At the highest point of the circle, what is the condition for the ball to just maintain its circular motion?

Step 1: Understand that the ball is moving in a circular path.
Step 2: Identify the highest point of the circle where the ball is located.
Step 3: Recognize that for the ball to stay in circular motion, there must be a force acting towards the center of the circle.
Step 4: Know that at the highest point, the weight of the ball (gravity) acts downwards.
Step 5: Realize that this weight can provide the necessary centripetal force to keep the ball moving in a circle.
Step 6: Understand that if the ball is just maintaining its circular motion, the tension in the string (if there is one) can be zero.
Step 7: Conclude that the condition for the ball to just maintain its circular motion at the highest point is that the weight of the ball equals the required centripetal force.

Centripetal Force – The net force required to keep an object moving in a circular path, directed towards the center of the circle.
Gravitational Force – The force acting on the ball due to gravity, which contributes to the centripetal force at the highest point of the circle.
Tension in the String – The force exerted by the string on the ball, which can be zero at the highest point for the ball to just maintain circular motion.