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

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a pulley system with two blocks, where one block is twice the mass of the other. The task is to find the tensions in the system while considering the pulley has no friction and can rotate. The original poster presents their calculations for the tensions and seeks confirmation on their correctness and the acceleration.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to derive expressions for the tensions using free body diagrams and Newton's second law. They question the correctness of their calculations and the treatment of acceleration. Other participants engage by confirming the relationships between the tensions and discussing the implications of the pulley having no net force acting on it.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants exploring various interpretations of the tension equations and the conditions of the pulley. Some participants provide calculations that suggest a consistent approach, while others raise questions about the assumptions made regarding the tensions and the pulley dynamics.

Contextual Notes

There is an ongoing examination of the assumptions related to the uniformity of tension in the string and the implications of the pulley having no moment of inertia. The original poster and other participants are navigating through these assumptions without reaching a definitive conclusion.

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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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