FYKOS Year 25 Series 2 Problem 4 — ball on a train · FYKOS 25 #25.2.4
Physics · mechanics
Problem
Small weight of mass m is suspended from the ceiling of a train on a string of length l. The weight is hanging a distance d from a wall (see picture). Suppose the train starts to accelerate in the direction perpendicular to the wall. Find a condition on the acceleration such that the weight eventually touches the wall. How long does it take before this happens? Assume that d is less than l/5$.