Calculate the tension of the blocks

Thread starter allora_97
Start date Mar 5, 2010
Tags

Blocks Tension

AI Thread Summary

The discussion revolves around calculating the tension Tc in a system of four blocks on a frictionless surface connected by massless strings. The initial attempts at solving the problem yielded tensions of 25N and 35N for Tc, but these were incorrect. Participants emphasize the importance of determining the acceleration of the blocks to find the correct tension. A hint is provided to focus on calculating the acceleration as a crucial step in solving for Tc. The conversation highlights the need for a clear understanding of the forces at play in the system.

Mar 5, 2010

allora_97

Homework Statement

Four blocks are on a frictionless horizontal
surface. The blocks are connected by massless
strings with tensions Ta, Tb, and Tc.
Calculate the tension Tc.
Answer in units of N.

Homework Equations

F = ma
Fn = mg

The Attempt at a Solution

Tc1 = 25N
Tc2 = 35N

Physics news on Phys.org

Mar 6, 2010

tiny-tim

Science Advisor

Homework Helper

Hi allora_97!

allora_97 said:

Tc1 = 25N
Tc2 = 35N

No.

Hint: what is the acceleration?

Thread 'Errors and significant figures'

I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...

View full post »

Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...

View full post »

Thread 'Explain this asphalt sheen'

This problem is two parts. The first is to determine what effects are being provided by each of the elements - 1) the window panes; 2) the asphalt surface. My answer to that is The second part of the problem is exactly why you get this affect. And one more spoiler:

View full post »