Calculate Tension: Mass, Examples, How To

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To calculate tension in a system with a mass held by two strings, understanding equilibrium is crucial, requiring the resolution of forces both horizontally and vertically. This leads to simultaneous equations that can be solved for the unknown mass. A foundational grasp of Newton's Laws and basic mathematics, including algebra and calculus, is essential for these calculations. Resources like elementary physics textbooks and websites such as www.lightandmatter.com can provide further guidance. Properly applying these principles will enable accurate tension calculations in various scenarios, including pulley systems.
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Can anyone direct me to a website or something that deals with tension, some examples and how to calculate it? I don't get it... like if you have a mass held up by two strings what information do you need to calculate the mass, and how do you go about doing it? Thanks!
 
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If the system is in equilibrium, then you just need to resolve forces horizontally and vertically and then that will give you a set of simultaneous equations to solve.
 
You should probably consider reading a very elementary textbook on general physics (or mechanics such as Resnick and Halliday/Sears+Zemansky, etc.) There are websites on the internet but all you need is a proper conceptual understanding of Newton's Laws and (in some cases) a certain degree of mathematical familiarity with things like simultaneous equations, algebra and calculus. Have a look at www.lightandmatter.com for some help.
 
Are you talking about a pulley system?

If you have acceleration, you can create two forces equations for both masses. Then you add them (or w/e else u want) to equate them and solve for m2.
 
Thread 'Variable mass system : water sprayed into a moving container'

Thread 'Variable mass system : water sprayed into a moving container'

Starting with the mass considerations #m(t)# is mass of water #M_{c}# mass of container and #M(t)# mass of total system $$M(t) = M_{C} + m(t)$$ $$\Rightarrow \frac{dM(t)}{dt} = \frac{dm(t)}{dt}$$ $$P_i = Mv + u \, dm$$ $$P_f = (M + dm)(v + dv)$$ $$\Delta P = M \, dv + (v - u) \, dm$$ $$F = \frac{dP}{dt} = M \frac{dv}{dt} + (v - u) \frac{dm}{dt}$$ $$F = u \frac{dm}{dt} = \rho A u^2$$ from conservation of momentum , the cannon recoils with the same force which it applies. $$\quad \frac{dm}{dt}...
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