Does a massless string cause a normal force when attached to a wall?

  • #1
laser
75
10
Homework Statement
Does a massless string cause a normal force when attached to a wall?
Relevant Equations
F=ma probably
1702134312752.png

I'm almost certain that if it was a "steel rod" or something heavy like that, the normal (the force written in green) would exist. But does it exist for a "massless ideal string"? I mean, there is tension in the string of course, but would that cause the normal perpendicular to the wall?
 
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  • #2
At the point of attachment the string exerts tension that is directed along the string and away from the point of attachment (you can't push with a string). This tension has a normal component and a component parallel to the surface. It's not the weight of the string that is the cause of this force but the weight of the ball hanging at the other end of the string that keeps the string taut. If you remove the ball, the string will go limp and exert no force if it is massless.
 
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  • #3
Would the cart shown in the attached diagram remain where represented when "there is tension in the string of course"?

Spehre cart.jpg
 
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1. Does a massless string cause a normal force when attached to a wall?

Yes, even though the string itself has no mass, it can still exert a normal force on the wall due to the tension in the string. This tension arises from the forces acting on the string at both ends, which can result in a normal force being exerted on the wall.

2. How does the tension in the massless string create a normal force?

When a massless string is attached to a wall, the tension in the string acts perpendicular to the wall. This tension creates a force component that is directed towards the wall, resulting in a normal force being exerted on the wall.

3. Is the normal force exerted by a massless string different from that of a string with mass?

While the normal force exerted by a massless string may seem counterintuitive, it is not fundamentally different from that of a string with mass. The key factor is the tension in the string, which can still result in a normal force being exerted on the wall, regardless of the string's mass.

4. Can a massless string exert a normal force on an object?

Yes, a massless string can exert a normal force on an object when attached to a wall. This normal force arises from the tension in the string, which can transfer forces between the object and the wall, resulting in a normal force being exerted on the object.

5. How does the massless property of the string affect the normal force it exerts?

The massless property of the string itself does not directly affect the normal force it exerts. Instead, the tension in the string, which is a result of the forces acting on it, determines the normal force that is exerted on the wall or object to which it is attached.

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