Raising the Window Washer: A Trickier Problem Than It Looks

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a window washer using a bucket-pulley system to raise herself at a constant speed. The mass of the person and the bucket is given as 61.7 kg, and the question focuses on determining the force she must exert to achieve this motion.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to calculate the weight of the system to find the necessary pulling force but encounters discrepancies with the expected answer. Some participants suggest alternative approaches, including modifying the force based on the pulley system's mechanics.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different interpretations of the problem. Some guidance has been offered regarding the forces at play, but there is no clear consensus on the correct approach or solution yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants are grappling with the implications of the pulley system and the forces involved, indicating potential confusion about the mechanics of the setup. The original poster has noted that previous advice did not lead to a correct answer, suggesting a need for deeper exploration of the problem's assumptions.

SnowOwl18
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Ok, I tried this and even found on this forum that someone asked the same question before, but I tried their advice and the answer was still wrong. The problem is that :
---- A window washer pulls herself upward using the bucket-pulley apparatus ...How hard must she pull downward to raise herself slowly at constant speed? The mass of the person plus the bucket is 61.7kg.----

The advice given on this forum was that since she is moving at a constant speed, the acceleration is zero...so she just needs to pull her (plus the bucket's) weight. I calculated this (W=mg) and got 604.7 N, but the program says I'm wrong. And then it gave a hint : This problem is trickier than it looks. There are two upward forces acting on the girl. One is exerted by the rope on the top of the basket. The other is exerted by the rope on her hands.

So does anyone have any advice on what to do? Much thanks :o)
 
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maybe make it 2N? multiply n times 2... if the rope goes half way around the pulley, its 2N, at least that's what my program says... try that?
 
o like 604.7 times 2? I just tried that and it says it's wrong
 
hrm, maybe I am doing the wrong one then, sheesh, I am gettin so confused lately... sorry i couldn't be of more help
 
lol np, thanks for trying tho! :)
 

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