Can You Explain the Effects of Tensional Force on Objects?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the effects of tensional force on objects, particularly in scenarios involving pulling forces and the resulting motion of connected objects. Participants explore the concepts of tension, action-reaction forces, and the influence of other forces such as friction and inertia.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant queries why an object does not move when a pulling force of 10N is applied, despite believing that the object also experiences a force of 10N.
  • Another participant suggests that the object can accelerate unless countered by another force, such as friction, which may cancel the exerted force.
  • A participant expresses confusion about the tension concept and the apparent discrepancy between their own motion and that of the connected object.
  • One participant points out the distinction between action-reaction forces, noting that they act on different masses, which can lead to different accelerations based on inertia and resistance to motion.
  • Another participant argues that tension force is not unique, using a zero-gravity scenario to illustrate that pulling can lead to motion, but tension may become zero if the object moves away.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of understanding regarding the nature of tension and its effects, with some agreeing on the role of friction and inertia while others present differing views on the uniqueness of tension force and its implications in different environments.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the conditions of motion, such as the presence of friction and the mass of the objects involved, remain unresolved. The discussion does not clarify the specific scenarios under which tension behaves differently.

sgstudent
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Hi, I learned the basics about tensional force and I have some queries about it. I'm hoping you guys are able to clear out these doubts. When I have string connected to an object on one hand and the other is connected to me, when I exert a force which is too small in magnitude to move myself eg I pull with 10N and the string pulls back with 10N. But I thought the object also experiences a force of 10N, so why won't it move forward?

Then when I raise my force to 15N such that now I have a net force of 5N I will thus start to move forward. However, I thought the object behind experience 10N of force too? So why is it able to move now unlike the previous scenario.

I think my theory is quite wrong so I'm hoping you guys can help me out with this. Thanks! :smile:
 
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sgstudent said:
when I exert a force which is too small in magnitude to move myself eg I pull with 10N and the string pulls back with 10N. But I thought the object also experiences a force of 10N, so why won't it move forward?

It does accelerate unless another force like friction is canceling the exerted force.
 
It can move? Isn't that very weird like I'm not moving but the object its connected to is... is it possible for you to explain the tension concept to me? I'm guessing that my understanding of this is pretty much messed up... thanks for the help!
 
i think maybe you are ,mistaking the action reaction forces. they sre equal in magnitude opposite in direction and act on different masses so different inertias and they have different resistance to motion so while you may move,. the same force acts on a different inertia and depending on its mass and net force actin on it(friction incl.) so does its acceleration.
 
I don't think tension force is anything special. Suppose you are in a space with zero gravity. If you pull a little, the object moves toward you. As soon as it moves, if the location of your hand doesn't change, the string looses and the tension becomes zero.
 

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