For what purpose? (Describe the problem you're working on.)breez said:In these cases, you can treat the 2 masses as one mass whose total mass is the sum of the 2 masses correct?
A rigid body is a hypothetical object in mechanics that is able to maintain its shape and size while undergoing motion or deformation. In other words, the distances between points on the object remain constant regardless of external forces acting on it.
When masses are connected by strings, they are treated as rigid bodies if the strings are assumed to be inextensible and the masses are assumed to be point masses. This means that the strings do not stretch and the masses are concentrated at a single point rather than having a physical size.
To treat masses connected by strings as rigid bodies, the strings must be inextensible and the masses must be point masses. Additionally, the forces acting on the masses must be balanced, meaning that the net force and net torque must be equal to zero.
Masses connected by strings are often treated as rigid bodies because it simplifies calculations and allows for easier analysis of the system. By assuming that the strings do not stretch and the masses are concentrated at a single point, the system can be treated as a single object rather than multiple individual objects.
Yes, there are limitations to treating masses connected by strings as rigid bodies. This assumption is only valid when the strings are inextensible and the forces acting on the masses are balanced. If these conditions are not met, then the system cannot be accurately treated as a rigid body and more complex calculations may be necessary.