Question about the Normal Force

Ronel

Two buckets of nails are hung one above the other and are pulled up to a roof by a rope. Each bucket has a mass of 5.0kg. The tension in the rope connecting the buckets is 60 N. Calculate the acceleration of the buckets.

So here's what I did:

mt= ma + mb (m which is equal to mass)
mt= 5.0kg + 5.0kg
mt= 10.0 kg (total mass is 10.0kg)

Fnet= Fn + Fg
ma= Fn + mg

if i isolate the a it would be:

a= (Fn/m) + g

How do I find the Normal force to solve the question?

haruspex

Clue: forget about the upper bucket and just think about the forces and acceleration of the lower bucket.

Ronel

still dont get it please elaborate it

Infinitum

Make a force equation of the lower bucket. Which are the forces acting on it? Due to the string(tension)? due to earth? how is the net force on it related to its acceleration, then?

Ronel

forcers that are acting on it are. Fn and Fg. I dont know what to do with the tension its a big question for me. Net force = ma

Infinitum

Fn in your post #5, IS the tension in the string...You should probably call it F_T

Net force [tex]F_{net} = ma[/tex]

But, what is [tex]F_{net}[/tex] in terms of Fn and Fg??

remember, this is only for the lower bucket.

Ronel

Oh thanks for the tension thing.
I think the Fnet is=T+mg ?

Infinitum

But tension is acting upwards, mg is acting downwards, and F_net, I'll leave to you.

Ronel

Oh ok now i got it, is this right? Fnet= T-mg

Infinitum

Yep.

Now use the relation with acceleration.

Ronel

a= Fnet/m Ok i used the 5 kg and I got the answer. But I have one quick question how come I didnt use the total mass?

Thank You man ! :)

But I could also do this

Fnet=T-mg
ma=T-mg
when I isolate acceleration -->> a=Ft-(mg)/m Instead of a=Ft/m ( both correct)

Thank You so much man

Infinitum

Great!

Why would you use something when you don't need it? Its simply not necessary to use the total mass for the situation you are given.

That basically is using a = Fnet/m You just jumbled with terms to get there, in this answer.

PS : Post such questions in homework section, next time!

haruspex

The total mass is distributed across two buckets. If you want an equation involving the total mass then you'll need to treat the two buckets as a unit. So then you want the net force on that unit. That will be sum of the two gravitational forces, downwards, against the tension in the string above the top bucket acting upwards. But you are not told the tension in that part of the string, so it doesn't get you far.
You can view the question as an exercise in figuring out which pieces of information are useful and which aren't.

Ronel

Thank You so much