Coming up with a Newton's 2nd law tension problem

In summary, a word problem involving N2L is described where an object is on top of a cliff and a pulley is used to bring it down. The person rappels off the cliff to use their mass to lower the object. To acquire variables such as Fnet, tension, and acceleration, free body diagrams must be drawn.
  • #1
wooker
3
0

Homework Statement


So I am coming up with a word problem dealing with N2L. It goes like this. I have an object on top of a cliff i want to get, so i attach a pulley to the edge of the cliff. Now i tie my self to the object and string it with the pulley. To get the object down I will rappel off the cliff(with one jump only) and use my mass to bring it down. There will be no friction or air resistance involved.

How would i set up a problem to acquire variables like Fnet on the system, tension in the rope, or acceleration of the object or me? ( pick the easiest one to do)

Homework Equations



Fnet=ma

The Attempt at a Solution

 
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  • #2
Hi Wooker,

Well you've got the equation right.. have you drawn free body diagrams? Using tension from the rope is as necessary as using the acceleration due to gravity.
 

1. What is Newton's 2nd law of motion?

Newton's 2nd law of motion states that the acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force acting on the object and inversely proportional to its mass. In simpler terms, the greater the force applied to an object, the greater its acceleration will be.

2. How do I come up with a tension problem related to Newton's 2nd law?

To come up with a tension problem related to Newton's 2nd law, you can start by identifying the forces acting on an object and determining the net force. Then, use the formula F=ma (force = mass x acceleration) to solve for the tension in the rope or string. This can be applied to various scenarios, such as a person pulling an object with a rope or a pulley system.

3. What are some common pitfalls when creating a Newton's 2nd law tension problem?

One common pitfall is not considering the direction of the forces and their corresponding signs in the calculations. It is important to properly define the positive and negative directions and assign the correct signs to the forces to get an accurate result. Another pitfall is not taking into account the mass of the rope or string, which can affect the tension and the overall solution of the problem.

4. Can you provide an example of a tension problem using Newton's 2nd law?

Sure, let's say we have a block with a mass of 10 kg hanging from a rope attached to a pulley. The block is being pulled upwards with an acceleration of 2 m/s^2. Using Newton's 2nd law, we can calculate the tension in the rope by first determining the net force acting on the block. The weight of the block, which is equal to its mass multiplied by the acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s^2), is pulling the block downwards with a force of 98 N. The tension in the rope must be equal to this force in order for the block to have an acceleration of 2 m/s^2. Therefore, the tension in the rope is also 98 N.

5. How can I use a tension problem to understand Newton's 2nd law better?

Solving tension problems using Newton's 2nd law can help deepen your understanding of the relationship between force, mass, and acceleration. By using this law in various scenarios, you can see how the amount of force and mass affects the acceleration of an object. It also helps to visualize the forces acting on an object and how they contribute to the overall motion. Practicing tension problems can also improve your problem-solving skills and enhance your understanding of physics principles.

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