Force diagram, tension on a rope

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the mechanics of tension in a rope connecting two carts on a horizontal surface. When a force is applied to the second cart, it creates tension (T1 and T2) in the rope, which exerts equal forces on both carts if the rope is considered massless. This principle is crucial for understanding the dynamics of connected objects under force.

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fishingspree2
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Hello,

"Two carts are connected by a rope and are free to move on a horizontal surface. We apply a force on the second cart. Draw a diagram of the forces that act on the two carts."

the answer is:
http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/4024/diagrameo3.jpg

I don't understand T1 and T2 (the rope part). Can anyone explain?

Thank you, sorry for my bad english
 
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When a rope is in tension (i.e., the ends are being pulled apart, not pushed together) it exerts a force on the objects that are attached to each end of it.

If the rope is massless (or has negligible mass) then those two forces are equal to each other, and equal to the tension in the rope.
 

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