Can anyone help me out with this tension problem please?

  • Thread starter Thread starter kdspuhler
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Tension
AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the tension in a massless string connecting two blocks sliding down an incline. Participants note that the friction on the higher block increases tension while the friction on the lower block decreases it, leading to a net effect that can be disregarded for simplification. The approach involves using the equation F=ma and summing forces in both X and Y directions, particularly projecting the X axis onto the incline for clarity. A suggestion is made to isolate one block to analyze the forces acting on it. The conversation emphasizes the importance of carefully considering the forces on both blocks to find the correct tension value.
kdspuhler
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
The two blocks in the figure are sliding down the incline. What is the tension in the massless string?
[PLAIN]http://img842.imageshack.us/img842/2586/physicshelp.jpg

Homework Equations



F=ma
That's honestly all I got.

The Attempt at a Solution



Well I realized that the higher block's friction adds to the tension, and the lower block's friction reduces tension. That being said they are equal so I disregarded them and simply tried

2gsin20-gsin20=Ft
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
Sum the forces in X and Y direction and solve for Ft. Its easier if you project the X axis onto the inclined plane.

Lets just Isolate one of the blocks:
[PLAIN]http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/7338/blockeah.png

Can you sum the forces on this block?
what about the other block?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
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...
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...
Back
Top