Question

A small bead of mass $M$ slides on a smooth wire that is bent in a circle of radius $R$. It is released at the top of the circular part of the wire (point A in the figure) with a negligibly small velocity. Find the height H where the bead will reverse direction.

• A. $\frac{3\,R}{2}$
• B. $\frac{5\,R}{2}$
• C. $R$
• D. $2R$

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

$2R$

Answer 2

Key Point Apply conservation of energy at two different position of the object.