Can anybody check if I solved this correctly?(tension forces + pulley)

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The discussion revolves around solving a tension problem involving a pulley and two blocks of different masses. The user derives the tensions T_1, T_2, and T_3 using Newton's second law and free body diagrams, concluding with T_3 expressed in terms of T_1 and T_2. It is confirmed that the acceleration a equals one-third of g, leading to T_1 being four-thirds of mg. The final tension T_3 is calculated as two times T, but there is a suggestion to clarify the notation to avoid confusion. The solution appears correct under the assumption that the pulley has no moment of inertia.
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Homework Statement


pulley_zps70f8d0bc.png

The pulley can rotate and has no friction.
Block m_2 is twice as big as m_1
Find the tensions, T_1, T_2, T_3

Homework Equations


Newton's second law

The Attempt at a Solution


Tension 1:
By creating a free body diagram only for the block, I got with Newton's second law:
T_1-mg=ma
T_1=m(a+g)

Tension 2:
T_2-2mg=ma
T_2=m(a+2g)

Tension 3:
T_3-T_1-T_2=ma

Inserting above values for the other tensions:
T_3=ma+m(a+g)+m(a+2g)
T_3=3m(a+g)

Did I solve this correctly? What about the acceleration? Can I do anything about that?
 
Last edited:
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PhyIsOhSoHard said:
T_3-T_1-T_2=ma


the pulley has no net force acting on it.
 
Enigman said:
the pulley has no net force acting on it.

What exactly do you mean?
Are the 2 first tensions correct?
 
So we have:

T_1-mg=ma
T_1=m(a+g)

2mg-T_2=ma
T_2=2m(g-a)

Since the tension is uniform on the string:
m(a+g)=2m(g-a)
a=\frac{1}{3}g

Substituting this into the first equation:
T_1-mg=\frac{1}{3}mg
T=\frac{4}{3}mgThe tension of the pulley since it has no net force acting:
T_3-T_1-T_2=0

Since T_1=T_2=T
T_3=2T

Inserting the tensions:
T_3=2\frac{4}{3}mg
 
Last edited:
PhyIsOhSoHard said:
So we have:

T_1-mg=ma
T_1=m(a+g)

2mg-T_2=ma
T_2=2m(g-a)

Since the tension is uniform on the string:
m(a+g)=2m(g-a)
a=\frac{1}{3}g

Substituting this into the first equation:
T_1-mg=\frac{1}{3}mg
T=\frac{4}{3}mg


The tension of the pulley since it has no net force acting:
T_3-T_1-T_2=0

Since T_1=T_2=T
T_3=2T

Inserting the tensions:
T_3=2\frac{4}{3}mg
Assuming the pulley has no moment of inertia, that all looks correct. I wouldn't write the final answer as T_3=2\frac{4}{3}mg though. It looks like you mean "two and four thirds".
 
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