Forces pulley and bricks Problem

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a man and a barrel of bricks connected by a pulley system, where the man weighs 100 kg and the barrel with bricks weighs 220 kg. The scenario describes the dynamics of the system as the man lowers the bricks, leading to different accelerations when the man is moving up and down.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of Newton's second law (F=ma) to both the man and the barrel, considering the forces acting on each. There is a focus on determining the tension in the rope and the accelerations of both objects. Some participants express uncertainty about calculations and the relationship between acceleration and tension.

Discussion Status

Several participants have provided calculations for acceleration and tension, with some expressing differing results. There is ongoing exploration of the equations governing the system, and participants are questioning the accuracy of their calculations. The discussion includes attempts to clarify the relationship between forces and accelerations, as well as the implications of relative velocity.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the need for specific time intervals to calculate relative velocities, indicating a potential gap in the problem setup. There is also mention of varying interpretations of the calculated accelerations, suggesting a lack of consensus on certain values.

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Homework Statement


I have a man who is 100kg and a barrel of bricks weighing at 220kg. The man is using a pulley to lower the bricks onto the ground however since they are much higher in weight he rapidly travels up. Then the bricks fall onto the ground and the barrel weighs 60kg since it's lighter than the man, he then rapidly goes down now. I have to find the acceleration of when the man is traveling up and the bricks are going down and when the man is going down and the barrel is going up.

Homework Equations


Fnet = ma
Fg = mg

The Attempt at a Solution


[/B]
For the man it would be:
Fg=mg
Fg= (100)(9.81)
Fg=981N

For the barrel full of bricks it would be:
Fg= mg
Fg= (220)(9.81)
Fg= 2158.2N

For the barrel that's empty it would be:
Fg= mg
Fg= (60)(9.81)
Fg= 588.6N

I am not quite sure what to do next. All I know is that I have to find acceleration of the barrel and man separately. I thought that I would have to use Fnet = Fg but then there is tension which I do not know. So then I tried to do:
Fnet = ma
Fg = ma
but it does not work of course.


 
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Let M be the mass on the barrel end of the rope and m be the mass of the man, ##a## be the acceleration (which has the same magnitude for both m and M) and T the tension in the rope. Let g be the acceleration due to gravity.

We have five variables, of which only two are unknown: ##a## and T.

This can be solved by writing two equations, one that applies the ##F=ma## law to the barrel and one that applies it to the man. Note that the values of F we use here are the net forces on the accelerated objects, arising from gravity and the tension in the rope.

With two equations and two unknown variables, you should be able to solve the problem.
 
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andrewkirk said:
Let M be the mass on the barrel end of the rope and m be the mass of the man, ##a## be the acceleration (which has the same magnitude for both m and M) and T the tension in the rope. Let g be the acceleration due to gravity.

We have five variables, of which only two are unknown: ##a## and T.

This can be solved by writing two equations, one that applies the ##F=ma## law to the barrel and one that applies it to the man. Note that the values of F we use here are the net forces on the accelerated objects, arising from gravity and the tension in the rope.

With two equations and two unknown variables, you should be able to solve the problem.

I got 4.0m/s2 for the first acceleration and for the second 2.5m/s2. Still going to find tension.
 
Each of your two equations will have ##a## and ##T## in them. Substitute the value you got for ##a## into either of the equations and you'll be able to solve for ##T##.

But first check that calc that gave you 4.0 ##ms^{-2}##. I agree with your second answer but for the first one I get a lower answer.
 
andrewkirk said:
Each of your two equations will have ##a## and ##T## in them. Substitute the value you got for ##a## into either of the equations and you'll be able to solve for ##T##.

But first check that calc that gave you 4.0 ##ms^{-2}##. I agree with your second answer but for the first one I get a lower answer.
Was it 3.6m/s2?
 
I get 3.67, which rounds to 3.7, not 3.6.
 
andrewkirk said:
I get 3.67, which rounds to 3.7, not 3.6.
I apologize for that. For Ft I got 1348.875N for my first tension. As for my second 735.750N.
 
andrewkirk said:
I get 3.67, which rounds to 3.7, not 3.6.

Is the velocity of the man relative to the barrel of bricks 21m/s?
 
Since both are accelerating in opposite directions, the relative velocity changes over time. A time needs to be specified in order to calculate a relative velocity.
 
  • #10
andrewkirk said:
Since both are accelerating in opposite directions, the relative velocity changes over time. A time needs to be specified in order to calculate a relative velocity.
I did relative velocity using formula VBC = VBA + VAC
 
  • #11
Veronica_Oles said:
I did relative velocity using formula VBC = VBA + VAC
I do not understand how velocities came into it. Everything up to post #7 concerned forces and accelerations.
 

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