Particle on cone surface – with string attached to vertex or fixed point

A particle moves in a horizontal circle on the surface of a fixed cone while also attached to a string (to the vertex or another fixed point); find tension, normal reaction, speed, or angular speed.

14 questions · Standard +0.8

6.05c Horizontal circles: conical pendulum, banked tracks
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CAIE M2 2002 June Q4
8 marks Standard +0.3
4 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{3e7472a8-df1e-45c4-81fb-e4397bddf5ad-3_576_826_258_662} A hollow cone with semi-vertical angle \(45 ^ { \circ }\) is fixed with its axis vertical and its vertex \(O\) downwards. A particle \(P\) of mass 0.3 kg moves in a horizontal circle on the inner surface of the cone, which is smooth. \(P\) is attached to one end of a light inextensible string of length 1.2 m . The other end of the string is attached to the cone at \(O\) (see diagram). The string is taut and rotates at a constant angular speed of \(4 \mathrm { rad } \mathrm { s } ^ { - 1 }\).
  1. Find the acceleration of \(P\).
  2. Find the tension in the string and the force exerted on \(P\) by the cone.
CAIE M2 2011 June Q3
8 marks Standard +0.3
3 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{1d2e8f3a-dab6-4306-bc4a-d47805947cd2-3_385_1154_253_497} A particle \(P\) of mass 0.5 kg is attached to the vertex \(V\) of a fixed solid cone by a light inextensible string. \(P\) lies on the smooth curved surface of the cone and moves in a horizontal circle of radius 0.1 m with centre on the axis of the cone. The cone has semi-vertical angle \(60 ^ { \circ }\) (see diagram).
  1. Calculate the speed of \(P\), given that the tension in the string and the contact force between the cone and \(P\) have the same magnitude.
  2. Calculate the greatest angular speed at which \(P\) can move on the surface of the cone.
CAIE M2 2013 June Q6
9 marks Standard +0.3
6 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{c85aa042-7b8c-44cc-b579-a5deef91e7e5-3_291_993_1238_575} A uniform solid cone of height 0.6 m and mass 0.5 kg has its axis of symmetry vertical and its vertex \(V\) uppermost. The semi-vertical angle of the cone is \(60 ^ { \circ }\) and the surface is smooth. The cone is fixed to a horizontal surface. A particle \(P\) of mass 0.2 kg is connected to \(V\) by a light inextensible string of length 0.4 m (see diagram).
  1. Calculate the height, above the horizontal surface, of the centre of mass of the cone with the particle. \(P\) is set in motion, and moves with angular speed \(4 \mathrm { rad } \mathrm { s } ^ { - 1 }\) in a circular path on the surface of the cone.
  2. Show that the tension in the string is 1.96 N , and calculate the magnitude of the force exerted on \(P\) by the cone.
  3. Find the speed of \(P\).
CAIE M2 2012 November Q4
6 marks Standard +0.3
4 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{2c6b2e42-09cb-4653-9378-6c6add7771cc-2_538_885_1809_628} A particle \(P\) is moving inside a smooth hollow cone which has its vertex downwards and its axis vertical, and whose semi-vertical angle is \(45 ^ { \circ }\). A light inextensible string parallel to the surface of the cone connects \(P\) to the vertex. \(P\) moves with constant angular speed in a horizontal circle of radius 0.67 m (see diagram). The tension in the string is equal to the weight of \(P\). Calculate the angular speed of \(P\).
CAIE FP2 2010 June Q2
7 marks Challenging +1.2
2 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{f6887893-66c5-40df-ba8d-9439a5c268eb-2_582_798_616_671} A particle of mass \(m\) is attached to the end \(B\) of a light inextensible string. The other end of the string is attached to a fixed point \(A\) which is at a distance \(a\) above the vertex \(V\) of a circular cone of semi-vertical angle \(60 ^ { \circ }\). The axis of the cone is vertical. The particle moves with constant speed \(u\) in a horizontal circle on the smooth surface of the cone. The string makes a constant angle of \(30 ^ { \circ }\) with the vertical (see diagram). The tension in the string and the magnitude of the normal force acting on the particle are denoted by \(T\) and \(R\) respectively. Show that $$T = \frac { m } { \sqrt { } 3 } \left( g + \frac { 2 u ^ { 2 } } { a } \right) ,$$ and find a similar expression for \(R\). Deduce that \(u ^ { 2 } \leqslant \frac { 1 } { 2 } g a\).
OCR Further Mechanics 2019 June Q4
9 marks Challenging +1.2
4 A right circular cone \(C\) of height 4 m and base radius 3 m has its base fixed to a horizontal plane. One end of a light elastic string of natural length 2 m and modulus of elasticity 32 N is fixed to the vertex of \(C\). The other end of the string is attached to a particle \(P\) of mass 2.5 kg . \(P\) moves in a horizontal circle with constant speed and in contact with the smooth curved surface of \(C\). The extension of the string is 1.5 m .
  1. Find the tension in the string.
  2. Find the speed of \(P\).
AQA Further Paper 3 Mechanics 2019 June Q7
9 marks Challenging +1.8
7 A particle of mass 2.5 kilograms is attached to one end of a light, inextensible string of length 75 cm . The other end of this string is attached to a point \(A\). The particle is also attached to one end of an elastic string of natural length 30 cm and modulus of elasticity \(\lambda \mathrm { N }\). The other end of this string is attached to a point \(B\), which is 60 cm vertically below \(A\). The particle is set in motion so that it describes a horizontal circle with centre \(B\). The angular speed of the particle is \(8 \mathrm { rad } \mathrm { s } { } ^ { - 1 }\) Find \(\lambda\), giving your answer in terms of \(g\).
CAIE M2 2012 November Q4
6 marks Standard +0.3
\includegraphics{figure_4} A particle \(P\) is moving inside a smooth hollow cone which has its vertex downwards and its axis vertical, and whose semi-vertical angle is \(45°\). A light inextensible string parallel to the surface of the cone connects \(P\) to the vertex. \(P\) moves with constant angular speed in a horizontal circle of radius \(0.67\) m (see diagram). The tension in the string is equal to the weight of \(P\). Calculate the angular speed of \(P\). [6]
Edexcel M3 2014 June Q2
13 marks Standard +0.8
\includegraphics{figure_1} A cone of semi-vertical angle \(60°\) is fixed with its axis vertical and vertex upwards. A particle of mass \(m\) is attached to one end of a light inextensible string of length \(l\). The other end of the string is attached to a fixed point vertically above the vertex of the cone. The particle moves in a horizontal circle on the smooth outer surface of the cone with constant angular speed \(\omega\), with the string making a constant angle \(60°\) with the horizontal, as shown in Figure 1.
  1. Find the tension in the string, in terms of \(m\), \(l\), \(\omega\) and \(g\). [7]
The particle remains on the surface of the cone.
  1. Show that the time for the particle to make one complete revolution is greater than $$2\pi\sqrt{\frac{l\sqrt{3}}{2g}}$$ [6]
OCR M2 2013 January Q8
14 marks Challenging +1.2
\includegraphics{figure_8} A conical shell has radius 6 m and height 8 m. The shell, with its vertex \(V\) downwards, is rotating about its vertical axis. A particle, of mass 0.4 kg, is in contact with the rough inner surface of the shell. The particle is 4 m above the level of \(V\) (see diagram). The particle and shell rotate with the same constant angular speed. The coefficient of friction between the particle and the shell is \(\mu\).
  1. The frictional force on the particle is \(F\) N, and the normal force of the shell on the particle is \(R\) N. It is given that the speed of the particle is 4.5 ms\(^{-1}\), which is the smallest possible speed for the particle not to slip.
    1. By resolving vertically, show that \(4F + 3R = 19.6\). [2]
    2. By finding another equation connecting \(F\) and \(R\), find the values of \(F\) and \(R\) and show that \(\mu = 0.336\), correct to 3 significant figures. [6]
  2. Find the largest possible angular speed of the shell for which the particle does not slip. [6]
OCR M2 2010 June Q5
10 marks Standard +0.3
One end of a light inextensible string of length \(l\) is attached to the vertex of a smooth cone of semi-vertical angle \(45°\). The cone is fixed to the ground with its axis vertical. The other end of the string is attached to a particle of mass \(m\) which rotates in a horizontal circle in contact with the outer surface of the cone. The angular speed of the particle is \(\omega\) (see diagram). The tension in the string is \(T\) and the contact force between the cone and the particle is \(R\).
  1. By resolving horizontally and vertically, find two equations involving \(T\) and \(R\) and hence show that \(T = \frac{1}{2}ml(\sqrt{2}g + l\omega^2)\). [6]
  2. When the string has length 0.8 m, calculate the greatest value of \(\omega\) for which the particle remains in contact with the cone. [4]
OCR M2 2016 June Q4
9 marks Standard +0.8
A smooth solid cone of semi-vertical angle \(60°\) is fixed to the ground with its axis vertical. A particle \(P\) of mass \(m\) is attached to one end of a light inextensible string of length \(a\). The other end of the string is attached to a fixed point vertically above the vertex of the cone. \(P\) rotates in a horizontal circle on the surface of the cone with constant angular velocity \(\omega\). The string is inclined to the downward vertical at an angle of \(30°\) (see diagram).
  1. Show that the magnitude of the contact force between the cone and the particle is \(\frac{1}{4}m(2\sqrt{3}g - 3a\omega^2)\). [6]
  2. Given that \(a = 0.5\) m and \(m = 3.5\) kg, find, in either order, the greatest speed for which the particle remains in contact with the cone and the corresponding tension in the string. [3]
OCR MEI Further Mechanics Major 2024 June Q13
10 marks Challenging +1.8
\includegraphics{figure_13} A conical shell, of semi-vertical angle \(\alpha\), is fixed with its axis vertical and its vertex V upwards. A light inextensible string passes through a small smooth hole at V and a particle P of mass 4 kg hangs in equilibrium at one end of the string. The other end of the string is attached to a particle Q of mass 25 kg which moves in a horizontal circle at constant angular speed \(2.8 \text{ rad s}^{-1}\) on the smooth outer surface of the shell at a vertical depth \(h\) m below V (see diagram).
  1. Show that \(k_1 h \sin^2 \alpha + k_2 \cos^2 \alpha = k_3 \cos \alpha\), where \(k_1\), \(k_2\) and \(k_3\) are integers to be determined. [7]
  2. Determine the greatest value of \(h\) for which Q remains in contact with the shell. [3]
SPS SPS FM Mechanics 2022 January Q5
9 marks Challenging +1.2
A right circular cone C of height 4 m and base radius 3 m has its base fixed to a horizontal plane. One end of a light elastic string of natural length 2 m and modulus of elasticity 32 N is fixed to the vertex of C. The other end of the string is attached to a particle P of mass 2.5 kg. P moves in a horizontal circle with constant speed and in contact with the smooth curved surface of C. The extension of the string is 1.5 m.
  1. Find the tension in the string. [2]
  2. Find the speed of P. [7]