Center of mass / momentum chain

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a uniform flexible chain with a specified mass and length, positioned on a frictionless table with part of it hanging off the edge. The scenario describes the chain's behavior when released, specifically focusing on the acceleration of the chain as it falls and the varying length of the chain hanging vertically.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the initial assumption that the acceleration would equal the acceleration due to gravity, questioning why this might not be the case. Some explore the concept of varying acceleration as the length of the chain changes, while others attempt to calculate the effective mass contributing to the acceleration.

Discussion Status

The discussion includes various interpretations of the problem, with participants sharing their calculations and reasoning. Some have identified a method to calculate the acceleration based on the mass of the hanging portion of the chain, while others are seeking guidance on how to approach the subsequent question regarding velocity.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the complexity introduced by the changing length of the chain and its effect on acceleration, as well as the need to consider forces acting on the system beyond just gravity.

mattyisphtty
Messages
8
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


Given: A uniform flexible chain whose mass
is 4.1 kg and length is 5 m. A table whose top
is frictionless.
Initially you are holding the chain at rest
and one-half of the length of the chain is hung
over the edge of the table. When you let loose
of the chain it falls downward.
The acceleration of gravity is 9.8 m/s2
Find the acceleration a of the chain when
the length of the chain hanging vertically is
3.6 m: Answer in units of m/s2.

Homework Equations


f19397a94676b310b34c6ecc056f2bda.png

2ef7ccb4489dd482703d5d25efa5d9ef.png

b58ba3a2c6ca1f8a24d29a59a52bed45.png


The Attempt at a Solution


Well I am not exactly sure to figure this out, but it seems as if it would be extremely easy to do seeing as how the acceleration due to gravity is 9.8. unfortunately this is wrong but I have yet to figure out what other force would be giving it an acceleration other than 9.8
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
Any help would be much appreciated.
 
Alrighty well thank you very much for helping. The second part of the question is asking for the velocity at that point. Rather than an answer could anyone help me with what to start with for this point seeing as how the acceleration is varying. Thanks.
 
Sorry, I think I was wrong. I'm not entirely sure why the acceleration isn't just g. If nothing else it should be constant
 
Actually you were right lol. I calculated the hanging mass when there is that much of the chain hanging. I got 2.9252kg the divided that by the entire mass and came out with the correct answer for the acceleration. Now all I need is how to find the velocity at that point.
 

Similar threads

The work that is necessary to pull a hanging chain
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Analyzing the Fall of a Chain: Problem 103 of 200 Puzzling Physics Problems
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
Weight of gold chain when dropped on a weighing scale
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
Center of mass and momentum- A question about systems
  • · Replies 25 ·
Replies
25
Views
2K
Work Question (Pulling a chain on the Moon)
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
How to Solve the Motion of a Chain Falling Off a Table?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
4K
What is the force exerted by a falling chain on a table?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
Why is the tangential force not same?
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
Calculating Work Done to Pull Chain Upward: A 2m Chain of Mass 4kg
  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
5K
Understanding Acceleration and Center of Mass in Shock Absorption
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K