Energy Methods + Pulley + Friction, finding final velocity

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a pulley system with two blocks, where one block drops due to gravity while the other is dragged up an inclined ramp. The scenario includes considerations of energy methods, kinetic friction, and the moment of inertia of the pulley. Participants are tasked with calculating the final velocity of one of the blocks after a specified distance has been traveled by the other block.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the relationship between potential energy and kinetic energy, questioning the application of the coefficient of friction in their calculations. There are attempts to clarify the change in height for both blocks and how it affects potential energy. Some participants explore different methods of calculating work done by friction and the overall energy balance in the system.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing insights and corrections to each other's reasoning. Some have suggested alternative approaches that appear to clarify the problem, while others are still questioning specific assumptions and calculations. There is no explicit consensus, but several productive lines of inquiry have been established.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the change in height is not uniform for both blocks, which complicates the energy calculations. There is also mention of potential errors in arithmetic and the impact of rounding on the final results.

RJLiberator
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Homework Statement


The pulley in the figure has radius R=0.160m and a moment of Inertia I_p = 0.560 kg*m^2. The rope does not slip on the pulley rim. As m_4 (4kg block) drops due to gravity, m_2 (2kg block) is dragged up a ramp inclined at theta = 65 degrees. The coefficient of kinetic friction for the block/ramp is 0.100. Use energy methods to calculate the speed of m_2 after m_4 has dropped 5.00 meters. (Hint the normal force on m_2 is m_2gcos(theta) and change in height is not the same for m_2 and m_4 although they are related to each other).

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


So first, decrease in PE is equal to increase in KE.
4*5*9.8 = 196 J.

The frictional work done is 1.96*cos65*5 = 9.8cos(65)
The force parrallel is 19.6sin(65)*5 = 98sin(65)
Final KE of the system = 196-9.8cos(65)-98sin(65)

Final KE's of the syem
M_4 = 1/2*4*v^2
M_2 = 1/2*2*v^2
Pulley = 1/2*I*w^2 ==> using w=v/R ==> 10.938v^2
Total KE = 13.938v^2

So:
13.938v^2 = 196-9.8cos(65)-98sin(65)
Which results in a 2.72 m/s

Should I have used the coefficient of friction instead of doing what I did? :O
Is there anything wrong with this reasoning?
 
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Where's the figure?
 
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Here it is, sorry.
 

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RJLiberator said:
Should I have used the coefficient of friction instead of doing what I did?
To calculate the work done by friction, you need the friction force. And that requires the coefficient of friction.
 
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I calculated it here The frictional work done is 1.96*cos65*5 = 9.8cos(65) which is from mass=2 gravity = 9.2 and u_k = 0.1 = 1.96.

I suppose I had already used it.

With that in play, does the reasoning/logic of this problem hold up?
Namely: 13.938v^2 = 196-9.8cos(65)-98sin(65)
 
You'll have an easier time keeping things straight if you viewed it as ##\Delta E = \Delta KE + \Delta PE = Work_{friction}##. (Realizing that the work done by friction is negative, of course.)
 
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Also, when they state that the change in y is not the same for both of them, I assume this means that M_4 = 5 while m_2 you must use trigonometry as I did with 5cos(65) and 5sin(65). Correct?
 
RJLiberator said:
Also, when they state that the change in y is not the same for both of them, I assume this means that M_4 = 5 while m_2 you must use trigonometry as I did with 5cos(65) and 5sin(65). Correct?
Yes. The change in height is relevant when finding the change in PE. The 5sin(65) is the change in height of m_2.
 
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Hm. If I do that I insert the following:

Change in KE = final - initial
Final I found to be 13.938v_f^2
Initially the system is at rest so KEi = 0.

Change in PE
Final = 4*-5*9.8 =-196J

Force due to friction is 1.96*cos(65)*5 = 4.1416

This nets me the answer of 3.78 = v_f :O

I feel like I am doing something wrong with the change in PE ?
 
  • #10
RJLiberator said:
Change in PE
Final = 4*-5*9.8 =-196J
That's the change in PE of the m_4 mass. What about the other mass?
 
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  • #11
It would then be 2*9.81*5sin65 = 17.76
So -196+17.76 = -178.24

Plugging this back into the equation: 14*x^2-178.24=4.1416

I get x = 3.61
 
  • #12
RJLiberator said:
It would then be 2*9.81*5sin65 = 17.76
Redo that bit of arithmetic.
 
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  • #13
Oi. You are absolutely right, I had foolishly forgotten about the 5 in 5sin(65).

So 2*9.8*5sin(65) = 88.82.

So -196+88.82 = -107.18

13.938*x^2-107.18=4.1416

= 2.82 m/s which is similar to my original answer of 2.72 :O

Hm, I'm looking at both methods here and wondering why I am getting the difference of .1.
 
  • #14
Admittedly, the way you suggested to do it was much more organized and to the point. It just made sense.
I would assume that this method would produce the more exact result, being 2.82.
 
  • #15
RJLiberator said:
Admittedly, the way you suggested to do it was much more organized and to the point. It just made sense.
Good. It also makes it easier to spot and correct errors.

RJLiberator said:
I would assume that this method would produce the more exact result, being 2.82.
I haven't checked the arithmetic, but often such differences are due to round off errors.
 
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  • #16
Excellent. Thank you for your help this morning. You clarified this question well for me.
 

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