The forum discussion centers on the F=ma experiment involving a trolley being pulled by a falling weight. Participants explore the relationship between the mass of the hanging weight and the resulting acceleration of the trolley. The key equation governing the system's acceleration is derived from Newton's second law, F=ma, where the net force is influenced by the tension in the hanging weight. The discussion emphasizes the importance of accurately accounting for all forces, including tension, in the free body diagram to understand the system's dynamics.
PREREQUISITESPhysics students, educators, and anyone conducting experiments related to mechanics and dynamics will benefit from this discussion.
Thank you. I neglected the tension on the hanging weight in it’s free body diagramkuruman said:What is the equation for the acceleration of the system? Write it down and see what happens when you keep the sum of the masses fixed in a plot of acceleration vs. hanging mass.