Tension acceleration homework question

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving tension in a pulley system with two weights: a 9kg weight and a 6kg weight. Participants are exploring the calculations related to the acceleration of the system and the tension force acting on the 9kg block.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to calculate the acceleration of the system and the tension in the rope. There are discussions about the net forces acting on each block and how to correctly apply the equations of motion. Some participants question the assumptions made regarding the uniformity of tension in the rope and the relationship between the weights.

Discussion Status

There are multiple interpretations being explored regarding the calculations of tension and acceleration. Some participants have provided calculations that yield the same tension value, while others express confusion about the assumptions made in the problem setup. Guidance has been offered regarding the forces acting on the blocks, but no consensus has been reached on the correctness of the calculations.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of a homework problem, which may limit the information available and the assumptions that can be made. There is an emphasis on understanding the forces involved and the implications of the pulley system's mechanics.

UrbanXrisis
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I'm just practicing some tension questions. Say there were two weights free hanging on a pully. One side hangs a 9kg weight and the other side hands a 6kg weight. So, the acceleration would be: a=F/m, a=(3kg*10m/s^2)/15kg, a=2m/s^2

Now, I want to find the tension force on the 9kg block. It’s acceleration down at 2m/s^2
T=m(g-a)
T=9kg(8 m/s^2)
T=72 N

Did I do this correct?
 
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UrbanXrisis said:
I'm just practicing some tension questions. Say there were two weights free hanging on a pully. One side hangs a 9kg weight and the other side hands a 6kg weight. So, the acceleration would be: a=F/m, a=(3kg*10m/s^2)/15kg, a=2m/s^2

Now, I want to find the tension force on the 9kg block. It’s acceleration down at 2m/s^2
T=m(g-a)
T=9kg(8 m/s^2)
T=72 N

Did I do this correct?

i'm confused by your problem

consider the situation. there's a pulley, so the forces are related. there is mg force being exerted on each side. one object weights 3 kg more than the other. what's the net force on each block?

what forces are there acting on the large block?
 
I'm several steps a head of you hehe. Look, I wrote:
a=F/m, a=(3kg*10m/s^2)/15kg, a=2m/s^2

this means, net force=(3kg*10m/s^2)
then, I found the acceleration of the whole system to be 2m/s^2

so, Tension on the larger block would equal F=ma, T=m(a), however, it is accelerating downwards so it looses gravitational force...therefor (g-a) so...

T=m(a-g)
T=9kg(8 m/s^2)
T=72 N

I don't know if I did this correct, but I think so. Need a check on the "T=m(a-g)" to know if I can do that.
 
UrbanXrisis said:
I'm several steps a head of you hehe. Look, I wrote:
a=F/m, a=(3kg*10m/s^2)/15kg, a=2m/s^2

this means, net force=(3kg*10m/s^2)
then, I found the acceleration of the whole system to be 2m/s^2

so, Tension on the larger block would equal F=ma, T=m(a), however, it is accelerating downwards so it looses gravitational force...therefor (g-a) so...

T=m(a-g)
T=9kg(8 m/s^2)
T=72 N

I don't know if I did this correct, but I think so. Need a check on the "T=m(a-g)" to know if I can do that.

does that make sense? 72 N acting on the block?

what force is pulling the block down? what force is pulling the block up?

obviously the force pulling down on the block is from gravity. so is the force pulling up on the block, right? (how is that force propagated?)

to me, it looks like neither one of your answers are correct. i could always be wrong though, I'm a ways from my phD.

edit: 2 m/s^2 is the difference between the two accelerations, if down is the positive direction
 
Last edited:
mg-T=ma
(9kg*10m/s^2)-T=(9kg*2m/s^2)
T=72N
 
Last edited:
Got 72N also. This is the tension in the rope so it acts up in both cases.
using 9kg as mass 1, and towards the area under 9kg as positive.
[tex] m_1 a = m_1 g - T[/tex]
[tex] m_2 a = T - m_2 g<br /> [/tex]
combine to solve for a you get

[tex] a = \frac{m_1 g - m_2 g}{m_1 + m_2}[/tex]

2m/s^2

[tex] m_1 a = m_1 g - T[/tex]
[tex] 18 = 90 - T[/tex]
[tex] T= 72N[/tex]
 
Last edited:
They are accelerating on the same rope, why would there be any difference in acceleration?
 
Skomatth said:
They are accelerating on the same rope, why would there be any difference in acceleration?

that was my problem, tension wasn't uniform in the rope the way i calculated it. i wasn't considering that the tension is higher than the weight on the side of the lighter mass.
 

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