Calculating the Fourth Mass: A Rope and Four Masses

  • Thread starter Thread starter Dekoy
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Mass Rope
AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on calculating the fourth mass in a system of four hanging masses connected by a rope. The relationship between the tensions and the known masses leads to the equation m4 = [m1T2/(T1 − T2)] − m2 − m3. Participants express difficulty in solving the problem without a visual reference of the setup. One user claims to have solved the problem independently despite initial challenges. The conversation highlights the importance of visual aids in understanding physics problems involving multiple forces and tensions.
Dekoy
Messages
12
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


2. There are four masses hanging by a rope from the
ceiling, as shown in the figure. Two of the tensions
and three of the masses have been measured.
Show that the fourth mass can be expressed as
m4 =[m1T2/(T1 − T2)]− m2 − m3.



Homework Equations


F=ma, F1=-F2, T=ma


The Attempt at a Solution


I think that (m1+m2+m3+m4)g=T1 and (m2+m3+m4)g=T2
I tried solving for g and substituting and try and solve for m4 but I just find it impssible to do.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
We can't help you unless we see the figure that goes with this question.
 
I tried copying and pasting from a pdf file but it didn't work but it's really easy actually I already figured it out, :). Thanks anyways.
 
Kindly see the attached pdf. My attempt to solve it, is in it. I'm wondering if my solution is right. My idea is this: At any point of time, the ball may be assumed to be at an incline which is at an angle of θ(kindly see both the pics in the pdf file). The value of θ will continuously change and so will the value of friction. I'm not able to figure out, why my solution is wrong, if it is wrong .
TL;DR Summary: I came across this question from a Sri Lankan A-level textbook. Question - An ice cube with a length of 10 cm is immersed in water at 0 °C. An observer observes the ice cube from the water, and it seems to be 7.75 cm long. If the refractive index of water is 4/3, find the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. I could not understand how the apparent height of the ice cube in the water depends on the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. Does anyone have an...
Back
Top