Calculating Tension in a Pulley System on a Sloped Surface

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the tension in a pulley system involving two masses, one on a slope and the other hanging. The problem includes parameters such as mass values, angle of the slope, and kinetic friction coefficient.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore different methods to calculate net forces and tension, with some using free body diagrams. Questions arise about the inclusion of tension in net force calculations and the correct interpretation of forces acting on each mass.

Discussion Status

There is ongoing exploration of various approaches to the problem, with some participants expressing uncertainty about their calculations. Multiple interpretations of the problem are noted, and some guidance has been offered regarding the use of free body diagrams and net force equations.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention confusion regarding the setup and calculations, indicating a lack of clarity in the problem statement or assumptions made. There are indications of differing interpretations of the problem's requirements.

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Homework Statement


In the diagram, the pulley is frictionless and the
string is massless. Given: m2 = 90 kg, m1 = 2m2,  angle=
26o, and μk = 0.11. Determine the tension in the string.

The m2 is on a sloped hill, m1 is dangling down off of the pully


Homework Equations



Fg=mg
F=ma
Fk=uk(Fn)

The Attempt at a Solution



I found the net force for m2 to be 386.643-the friction force which is 87.201=299.442N. then I subtracted from the Fg of m1=1764N. So 1764-299.442=1464.56N so the tension=1464.56N did I do this right?
 
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SilentBlade91 said:

I found the net force for m2 to be 386.643-the friction force which is 87.201=299.442N.
That's NOT[/color] the net force, because you did not include the tension force, T, in that equation. The net force is then equal to m2a
subtracted from the Fg of m1=1764N. So 1764-299.442=1464.56N so the tension=1464.56N did I do this right?
No, you have to look at the hanging block separately using a free body diagram. What are the forces acting on m1, what's the net force? Then again the net force =m1a. Solve the 2 equations with 2 unknowns for T.
 
Last edited:
Ummm I am not sure exactly if I got what ur saying right, but I used the Fnet for m2 I found before that you said was right (299.442) and used the mass of m2 (90) to find a which equaled 3.32713m/s^2. Then i used that acceleration and used it to multiply with m1 (180) to get 598.883N. Idk if that is the T or what... I probably did none of that right hahaa.
 
SilentBlade91 said:
Ummm I am not sure exactly if I got what ur saying right, but I used the Fnet for m2 I found before that you said was right (299.442) and used the mass of m2 (90) to find a which equaled 3.32713m/s^2. Then i used that acceleration and used it to multiply with m1 (180) to get 598.883N. Idk if that is the T or what... I probably did none of that right hahaa.
Sorry, i meant to say that was not the net force. Ill edit that response.
 
Okay so I made separate free body diagrams of each.

On m1 there would only be 2 forces correct? The FGm1-1764 going down and the T going up?

Then on m2 there would be a Force of 299.442 (after subtracting the friction force) but then going that same direction as F would be T right?

So I did T+F=m2a which would come out as T=m2a-F

Then for m1 i did Fgm1-T=m1a then replaced the T with (m2a-F)

so Fgm1-(m2a-F)=m1a which finding acceleration would come out as a=(Fgm1+F)/(m1+m2)

so a=(1764+299.442)/(180+90)=7.64238m/s^2

so then I plugged that acceleration into T=m2a-F so T=90(7.64238)-299.442= a tension of 388.372N. I hope that is right this has been a pain haaha
 
I get a different answer. (Edit: seems like I solved a different variation of the problem based on my interpretation of the words...)
 
Last edited:
Turns out my answer was right.
 

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