text: what is the ratio of maximum tension with minimum tension? a pendulum consists of a small spherical mass attached to a rope so that its center hangs down at a distance (equal with the length of the rope) beneath the suspension point.  if the pendulum oscillates with angular amplitude of 30 degrees how can i determine the ratio of maximum tension with minimum tension?  really lookin for someone to help walk me through this process. the first answer is partially correct.  the max tension is when the bob is straight down, but note that that the velocity is also a maximum at this point. there is a normal acceleration of v*v/r which increases the tension. the tension is m(g + v*v/r). note v is velocity and can be found from conservation of energy. r is the length of the rope.  the minimum tension has no velocity component and comes only from the gravity component as the person above points out.