For a body on a string making a complete vertical circle, the critical speeds at various positions:
| Position | Angle from bottom | Minimum speed | Tension at min speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bottom | 0 | sqrt(5gL) | 6mg |
| Side (horizontal) | 90 | sqrt(3gL) | 3mg |
| Top | 180 | sqrt(gL) | 0 |
Where does the string go slack if < sqrt(5gL)? The body leaves the circular path at the angle where T = 0. Above the centre (theta > 90 from bottom), it then follows projectile motion.