Force and Tension in Cargo Box and Strap System

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving a cargo box being pulled by a strap at various angles. The box has a mass of 80 kg, and participants are exploring the normal force and tension in the system under different conditions, including angles of 0, 30, 45, and 90 degrees.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to analyze the forces acting on the cargo box, particularly focusing on the vertical and horizontal components of tension and normal force. There are questions about the effects of friction and the conditions under which the box is being pulled.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided insights into the relationships between the forces, while others are questioning the assumptions regarding friction and the nature of the motion (e.g., constant velocity). There is an ongoing exploration of how to express the normal force in terms of tension and weight.

Contextual Notes

There is uncertainty regarding whether the surface is frictionless and whether additional information about the motion is required to solve the problem fully. Participants are also considering the implications of different angles on the forces involved.

minimax
Hi! I have some physics problems here that hopefully sNomeone can help me on. Here's my questions and work. It's my first time on here, so hopefully I put enough information out there to clarify things. :D They are both cargo box/strap questions.

Homework Statement



1) A cargo box is pulled by a strap. The box is 80kg while the ange of the strap being pulled is 45degrees to the horizontal.

2) A cargo box is pulled by a strap:
Find the force (F) when
a) the normal force (N)=mg at 0 degrees, N is 0 at 30 degrees
b N=mg/2 at 30degrees and N=mg at 60 degrees
c)N=mg/2 at 90 degrees and N=mg at zero degrees

Homework Equations


I think it'll be easier if i put relevant equations with my work below


The Attempt at a Solution


1) For question one, I saw one that's sort of like mine except that there was friction.
I know that the vertical component is Tsin45=mg-N and I'm trying to find N.

I'm not sure about the horizontal component as there is not friction listed although realistically friction would be present and that for this question
Tx=Tcos45degrees only

2)
so far I've worked on section c
so i know:
Fytot=Wy+Fy+Ny=0
Fy=-Wy-Ny
Fy=-mg-N
Fysin90=-mg-(mg/2)
Fy=(-3/2)mg
Fx=Fcos90=0

F=sqrt(((-3/2)mg)^2)
so F=(3/2)mg??
or would it be mg/2?

Does this look like the right process?

Thank You very much for taking the time to help me!
 
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ok, so I've done part c of the second question:

components:
Fy=-Wy(0,-1)-Ny(0,1)
so
Fy=mg-Ny
Fysin90=mg-(mg/2)
=mg/2

Fx=Fcos90=0

so F=sqrt((mg/2)^2)

therefore, F=mg/2

for the 30 degree question
i have so far:
mg=0 degrees
N=mg/2=30 degrees

Fysin30=mg-(mg/2)
(1/2)Fy=mg/2
Fy=mg

Fx=Fcos30(sqrt(3/2))

does this look right so far? (also still stuck on que 1)
 
Oh no! i just realized that i forgot the question for 1.

A cargo box is pulled by a strap. The box is 80kg while the angle of the strap being pulled is 45degrees to the horizontal. What is force N? (normal force)
 
Hey, does it say for question one it's on a frictionless surface? Or no?
 
minimax said:

The Attempt at a Solution


1) For question one, I saw one that's sort of like mine except that there was friction.
I know that the vertical component is Tsin45=mg-N and I'm trying to find N.

I'm not sure about the horizontal component as there is not friction listed although realistically friction would be present and that for this question
Tx=Tcos45degrees only

Correct. The problem do not say anything about the motion does it (eg. constant velocity)? If not then the horizontal component cannot be solved and you can only get N in terms of T from your vertical analysis.
 
minimax said:
2)
so far I've worked on section c
so i know:
Fytot=Wy+Fy+Ny=0
Fy=-Wy-Ny
Fy=-mg-N
Fysin90=-mg-(mg/2)
Fy=(-3/2)mg
Fx=Fcos90=0

F=sqrt(((-3/2)mg)^2)
so F=(3/2)mg??
or would it be mg/2?

Does this look like the right process?

Thank You very much for taking the time to help me!

When the strap is pulling upwards (ninety degrees) we have that

[tex]N + F = W[/tex]

therefore

[tex]F = W - N[/tex]

giving

[tex]F = mg - \frac{mg}{2}[/tex]

for the 0 degree case one need more info about the motion (if friction is present and the motion is progressing at a constant velocity then one can again solve for F).
 

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