Calculating Tension in a Pulley System with Spring Scales

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a pulley system with spring scales and a weight, focusing on calculating the readings of the scales. The context is within the subject area of statics and tension in ropes.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the expected readings of the scales, questioning whether they should be the same due to the mass-less nature of the pulley. Some explore the implications of the arrangement of the scales and the effect of neglecting friction.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants sharing their thoughts on the tension in the string and the role of the pulley. There is a mix of interpretations regarding the readings of the scales, but no consensus has been reached.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the assumption of negligible weight for the scales and the neglect of friction in the pulley, which may influence their reasoning.

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A pulley is attached to the ceiling. Spring scale A is attached to the wall and a rope runs horizontally form it and over the pulley. The same rope is then attached to a spring scale B. On the other side of scale B hangs a 120 N weight. What are the readings of the two scales A and B? The weights of the scales are negligible.

please help
 
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I don't see why the scale readings shouldn't be the same. The pulley is considered mass-less correct?
 
Well... If I have pictured it correctly then they would both read 120N

As there are in series so to speak. If they were in a parallel arrangement then it would be 60N each (that is if there were 2 strings holding from the ceiling).

I think the pulley is irrelevant and you could imagine the system just hanging from the ceiling.
 
Also, the question neglects friction in the pulley.

This is a statics problem and the question becomes, what can you say about the tension in the string? What is the effect of the pulley?
 
thanks that's what i thought also
 

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