forces on pendulem

Started by kfcman289
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kfcman289

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I understand that the force on a pendulem has two components: mv^2/r=T-mgcos, and then mgsin tangentially. Is the centripetal force constant for a pendulem?
 
Is the centripetal force constant for a pendulem?
No. Constant centripetal force would require a uniform velocity like a ball on a string spinning in a horizontal orbit.

Wiki animation of net force. If theta approached 90 degrees then tension would approach zero and tension is what is providing the centripetal force.
300px-Oscillating_pendulum.gif