A pendulum, comprising a light string of length L and a small sphere, swings in a vertical plane. The string hits a peg located a distance d below the point of suspension.
(a) Show that if the sphere is released from a height below that of the peg, it will return to this height after the string strikes the peg.
(b) Show that if the pendulum is released from the horizontal position (θ = 90°) and is to swing in a complete circle centered on the peg, then the minimum value of d must be 3L/5.

Question

A pendulum, comprising a light string of length L and a small sphere, swings in a vertical plane. The string hits a peg located a distance d below the point of suspension. 
(a) Show that if the sphere is released from a height below that of the peg, it will return to this height after the string strikes the peg. 
(b) Show that if the pendulum is released from the horizontal position (θ = 90°) and is to swing in a complete circle centered on the peg, then the minimum value of d must be 3L/5.

anonymous · Answer

Can you draw it?