# Force (object is suspended connected to a block on table and pulled up)

1. Oct 20, 2007

### ~christina~

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

A block of mass m1 on a rough horizontal surface is connected to a ball of mass m2 by a lightweight cord over a lightweight frictionless pulley as shown. A force of magnitude F at an angle theta with the horizontal is applied to the block. The coefficient of friction between the block and surface is $$\mu_k$$

a.) draw a free body diagram of the 2 masses

b.) use newton's dynamic equation to determine the magnitude of the acceleration of theh 2 objects in terms of their masses, F, theta, and $$\mu_k$$

c.) what is the tension in the cord

2. Relevant equations

F= ma

Ffk= uk* Fn

and a newton's dynamic equation? ==> what is that exactly??

3. The attempt at a solution

a)for the free body diagram

b) how would I do this question...not sure and I'm stuck after the free body diagram...hm..

c) I guess I would need to solve part b to get part c

~I do know that they both have the same accelration but how would I know if the total forces $$\sum Fx= 0$$?

Last edited: Oct 20, 2007
2. Oct 20, 2007

### Staff: Mentor

That's Newton's 2nd law.

One problem with the FBD: That applied force F is at an angle, not horizontal.

Analyze the forces parallel to the direction of motion for each block and apply Newton's 2nd law. You'll get two equations--one for each mass--that you'll solve together for the two unknowns: the acceleration and tension.

3. Oct 21, 2007

### ~christina~

I was wondering why I don't analyze the horizontal component of the block but I think it's b/c the total forces = 0 but...this is what I got.

for m2 (only movement in y direction)
$$\sum Fx= 0$$
$$\sum Fy= T- m_2 g= m_2 ay$$

for m1 (block)
$$\sum Fx= max= Fcos theta- (T+ \muk m1g)$$
$$\sum Fy= may= Fsin theta + N- mg= 0$$

Well I just wanted to check first...

4. Oct 21, 2007

### Staff: Mentor

Good. I would just call the acceleration "a".

Careful here: What's the normal force? Again: call the acceleration "a".
Good. Use this to figure out N.

5. Oct 21, 2007

### ~christina~

for m2 (only movement in y direction)
$$\sum Fx= 0$$
$$\sum Fy= T- m_2 g= m_2 a$$

for m1 (block)
$$\sum Fx= ma= Fcos theta- (T+ \muk m1g)$$ => was this incorrect (see below for my correction)??

~I do know that that is the Fx component right? but I guess I need to incorperate the N?

$$\sum Fy= ma= Fsin theta + N- mg= 0$$
from the Fy

N= mg - Fsin theta

I think that since the Ffk = uk*FN
then the equation on the top for the Fx wouldn't be uk* m1g since the normal force is lighter so it would be instead

$$\sum Fx= ma= Fcos theta- (T+u_k (m_1g- Fsin theta))$$

Is it fine now?

I guess whenever I have to find the x component of the force when there is friction I need to incorperate the normal force the angle it is being pulled at if there is a angle so that the normal force is not just m*g right?

6. Oct 21, 2007

### Staff: Mentor

Yes, all better.

Right. Friction depends on the normal force, which may or may not equal the weight of the object, depending upon the situation.

7. Oct 21, 2007

### ~christina~

$$\sum Fy= T- m_2 g= m_2 a$$

$$\sum Fy= ma= Fsin theta + N- mg= 0$$
from the Fy

N= mg - Fsin theta

$$\sum Fx= ma= Fcos theta- (T+u_k (m_1g- Fsin theta))$$

________________________________________________________________
but how would I find the part b) which is...

b) b.) use newton's dynamic equation to determine the magnitude of the acceleration of the 2 objects in terms of their masses, F, theta, and $$\mu_k$$

(I'm not sure what they want)

would it be adding the 2 equation??

the first object and second object's forces like this?

$$\sum Fy= T- m_2 g= m_2 a$$

$$\sum Fx= ma= Fcos theta- (T+u_k (m_1g- Fsin theta))$$

+ T- mg= m2a
+ Fcos theta - T- uk (m1g- Fsin theta) = m1a
______________________________________

Fcos theta- m2g- uk(m2g- Fsin theta)= (m1 + m2)a

a= (Fcos theta- m2g - uk(m2g- Fsin theta))/ m1+ m2
Is this what they want?

Assuming it is...
for part c.) I need to find

c.) tension in cord..

I think that I would plug this into a original equation while using the acceleration I found...

$$\sum Fy= T- m_2 g= m_2 a$$

T= m2a + m2g

substituting a

T= m2( (Fcos theta- m2g - uk(m2g- Fsin theta))/ m1+ m2) + m2g

I think this is okay but not sure..

8. Oct 21, 2007

### Staff: Mentor

Looks good to me!

As a practical matter, I would solve for a and then plug the numerical value into the other equation to get T.

9. Oct 21, 2007

### ~christina~

Oh okay..I would plug in the numbers if I had numbers given...

I usually find it challenging to not have numbers though..

Thanks for your help Doc Al !