Physics Challenge for

Teachers and Students

Solutions to October 2006 Challenge

◗ A Band on the Loose N

Challenge: A rubber band has mass m and force constant
k. When relaxed, the band forms a ring of radius r. The Ny
band is placed horizontally on a vertical frictionless cone Nx
as shown (angle 2θ is given). What is the radius R of the
ring formed by the band? θ

dφ/2
T
dφ/2
T dφ/2 R

Solution: Figures 1 and 2, below, show the

symbols that I use. The normal force makes an Fig. 2.
angle with the horizontal that is equal to the
half angle at the vertex of the cone (θ). If we Nx = 2πk(R – r)sin dφ, which is very nearly
consider a small element of mass dm, the verti-
cal component of the normal force must bal- Nx = 2πk(R – r)dφ. (2)
ance the weight of the element and the
Ny
horizontal component of the normal force must Since = tan θ, Eq. (2) can be divided by
balance the horizontal components of the Nx
tension, T. Eq. (1) to give
x mg
R =r+ cot θ.
N 4π 2 k
Alternately, consider the potential energy of the
gdm band as a function of R. To be in equilibrium,
the band must be at a position of minimum
Fig. 1.
potential energy. Let the elastic potential energy
mg be Uel = 1/2k(2πR – 2πr)2 and the gravitational
The weight of the element is d φ, so potential energy measured with respect to the
2π
vertex of the cone be Ug = –mg(R – r)cot θ.
mg
Ny = d φ. (1) The total potential energy is
2π
The condition that the horizontal forces be bal- U = 2kπ 2(R – r)2 –mg(R – r)cot θ.
anced is N x = 2T sin d φ , which, by treating
2 At the minimum energy position,
the band as an ideal spring (implied by the
statement of the problem), can be written as

THE PHYSICS TEACHER ◆ Vol. 45, 2007

 dU Art Hovey (Milford, CT)
= 4π 2 k( R − r ) − mg cot θ = 0,
dR J. Iñiguez (Universidad de Salamanca, Salaman-
which has the solution ca, Spain)
David Jones (Miami Palmetto Sr. High School,
mg Miami, FL)
R =r+ cot θ.
4π 2 k Stephen McAndrew (Trinity Grammar School,
(Contributed by Don Summer Hill, NSW, Australia)
Easton, Lacombe, Alberta, Canada) Raj M. Misra (Marvell Semiconductor, Fremont,
CA)
We would also like to recognize the following Carl E. Mungan (U.S. Naval Academy,
contributors: Annapolis, MD)
K. Roberge (no affiliation mentioned)
Sanjeet Singh Adarsh (Indian Institute of Tech-
nology, Bombay, India) Michael Threapleton (Centralia College,
Centralia, WA)
R.R. Bukrey (Loyola University, Chicago, IL)
Leo H. van den Raadt (Heemstede, The Nether-
Phil Cahill (Lockheed Martin Corp., Rosemont, lands)
PA)
Many thanks to all contributors and we hope to
John F. Goehl, Jr. (Barry University, Miami
Shores, FL) hear from you in the future!
Please send correspondence to:
Fredrick P. Gram (Cuyahoga Community Col- Boris Korsunsky
lege, Cleveland, OH) korsunbo@post.harvard.edu

THE PHYSICS TEACHER ◆ Vol. 45, 2007