Applying Newtons Laws in a 'cable car' situation

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on applying Newton's Laws to analyze the forces acting on an alpine cable car system. With a maximum permissible mass of 2800 kg and an acceleration of 0.81 m/s² up a 35-degree incline, participants calculate the difference in tension between adjacent sections of the pull cable. A free-body diagram is essential for visualizing the forces, including gravitational force and tension, to determine the net force required for the specified acceleration. The relationship between net force and cable tensions is crucial for understanding the system's dynamics.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Newton's Laws of Motion
  • Basic knowledge of free-body diagrams
  • Familiarity with trigonometric functions for incline calculations
  • Concept of tension in cables and forces in a pulley system
NEXT STEPS
  • Calculate the gravitational force acting on the cable car using the formula F = mg
  • Learn how to draw and analyze free-body diagrams for inclined planes
  • Explore the relationship between tension and acceleration in pulley systems
  • Study the effects of different angles of incline on tension and acceleration
USEFUL FOR

Physics students, engineering students, and professionals involved in mechanical systems or cable car design will benefit from this discussion.

physics newb
Messages
44
Reaction score
0
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v638/ravenatic20/cablecars.jpg
Like my MS Paint skills? haha
The image shows a section of an alpine cable-car system. The maximum permissible mass of each car with occupants is 2800 kg. The cars, riding on a support cable, are pulled by a second cable attached to each pylon (support tower); assume the cables are straight. What is the difference in tension between adjacent sections of pull cable if the cars are at the maximum permissible mass and are being accelerated up the 35 degree incline at 0.81 m/s^2 ? What do I do here?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
Draw a free-body diagram of one of the cars. What net force is required to give the car the stated acceleration? How is that net force related to the cable tensions?
 

Similar threads

Cable car system : Tension in the pull cable
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
7K
High School Debate over the experimental procedure for Newton's 2nd Law
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Newton's Third Law and Car Crashes
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
4K
Applying Newton's laws to find forces
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
15K
Elevator Physics- Newton's Law of Motion
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
28K
Why Doesn't Newton's 3rd Law Apply Here?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
4K
How Does Acceleration Affect Tension in a Cable Car System?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
11K
Undergrad Newton's Third Law and the Horse Cart Problem
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
11K
Undergrad Is true force just "accepted" if it satisfies Newton law?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
How Do Newton's 2nd and 3rd Laws Apply to a System with Friction?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
4K