Why is the downward force on 1kg in a force pulley system 60N?

  • Thread starter Thread starter aspodkfpo
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Force Pulley
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The downward force on a 1 kg mass in a force pulley system is calculated to be 60N, contrary to the initial assumption of 10N based solely on weight. This force arises from the combined effect of the mass of 1 kg and an additional 5 kg, resulting in a total force of (1+5) x 9.8N. The system accelerates at 5 m/s², necessitating this increased downward force to maintain motion. The tension in the string connecting the masses plays a crucial role in this dynamic.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Newton's laws of motion
  • Familiarity with free body diagrams
  • Basic knowledge of force and tension in pulley systems
  • Concept of acceleration and its relation to net force
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the principles of Newton's second law of motion
  • Learn how to construct and analyze free body diagrams
  • Explore the dynamics of multi-mass pulley systems
  • Investigate the relationship between tension and acceleration in pulley systems
USEFUL FOR

Physics students, educators, and anyone interested in understanding the mechanics of force and motion in pulley systems.

aspodkfpo
Messages
148
Reaction score
5
Homework Statement
n/a
Relevant Equations
n/a
1596375040562.png


If a free body diagram is constructed for 1kg, one might be inclined to draw an arrow downwards with only the weight of 10N. However, the downward, non-net, force on 1 kg is (1+5) x 9.8. Why is this the case? It seems very counterintuitive.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
aspodkfpo said:
Homework Statement:: n/a
Relevant Equations:: n/a

View attachment 267189

If a free body diagram is constructed for 1kg, one might be inclined to draw an arrow downwards with only the weight of 10N. However, the downward, non-net, force on 1 kg is (1+5) x 9.8. Why is this the case? It seems very counterintuitive.
It is not true, you misunderstood something. There are to forces acting on the 1 kg mass, its weight, 1*g downward, and the tension T1 in the string, upward.
 
ehild said:
It is not true, you misunderstood something. There are to forces acting on the 1 kg mass, its weight, 1*g downward, and the tension T1 in the string, upward.
Consider the entire system.
(1+5) x 10 is the force acting on the entire system. This means that the system travels with an acceleration of 5ms^-2. The tension in the string to the right of 6kg is 30N. 5kg has to have a net force of 25N, so between 5kg and 1kg, string is at 55N. 1kg has to travel at 5ms^-2, so downwards on 1kg is 60N.

I don't quite see how it is intuitive to realize it is 60N pointing in the downward direction on the 1kg.
 
Cut the string between the two hanging masses and remove the smallest mass.
How much force your hand should pull down the section of remaining string hanging from mass 5kg to keep the original tension in longer string?
 
aspodkfpo said:
Homework Statement:: n/a
Relevant Equations:: n/a

View attachment 267189

If a free body diagram is constructed for 1kg, one might be inclined to draw an arrow downwards with only the weight of 10N. However, the downward, non-net, force on 1 kg is (1+5) x 9.8. Why is this the case? It seems very counterintuitive.
I can think of two forces acting on the 1-kg mass: The tension in the string (up) which is exerted by the string and gravity (down) which is exerted by the Earth. Their sum is the net force and that is directed down. What force is the "downward non-net force" and what entity exerts it?
 
aspodkfpo said:
Consider the entire system.
(1+5) x 10 is the force acting on the entire system. This means that the system travels with an acceleration of 5ms^-2. The tension in the string to the right of 6kg is 30N. 5kg has to have a net force of 25N,
correct so far, but wrong after.
aspodkfpo said:
so between 5kg and 1kg, string is at 55N. 1kg has to travel at 5ms^-2, so downwards on 1kg is 60N.

I don't quite see how it is intuitive to realize it is 60N pointing in the downward direction on the 1kg.
There are three forces acting on the 5 kg mass. The tension in the upper string, 30 N upwards
the weight, 50 N, downwards
and the tension T1, connecting 5kg an 1 kg. It acts downward. The 5 kg mass accelerates downward with 5m/s2, so the net force acting on it is T1+50-30=25 N. what is the value of T1 then?
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: aspodkfpo and Lnewqban

Similar threads

  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
1K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
5K
  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
3K
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
2K
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
4K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
4K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 30 ·
2
Replies
30
Views
4K