Forces with Pulleys

Max0007

Homework Statement

Note that the vector F is 50N.
I need to find Theta and the Mass of the Box(M).

http://i5.minus.com/ib08xMuKZxTSbc.png [Broken]

Homework Equations

What I have so far:

Pulley 2:
FY: T2cos(20) - T1sin(60) + Fsin(45) + T2sin(30) = 0
FX: T2sin(20) + T1cos(60) + Fcos(45) - T2cos(30) = 0

Pulley 1:
Fx= T1sin(Theta) + T1cos(60) = 0
Fy= - T1cos(Theta) - T1sin(60) = 0

Box (M);
Fx= T2sin(20) - T1sin(Theta) = 0
Fy= -Wm +T2cos(20) + T1cos(Theta) = 0

The Attempt at a Solution

N/A

Last edited by a moderator:

paisiello2
You are using x's and y's along with the sin's and cos's. I think this is confusing because T2y = T2cos(20). Maybe re-write the equations without the x's and y's and solve for M and theta,

Mentor
At first, concentrate your efforts at pulley 2. You have two equations with two unknowns there!

FY: T2ycos(20) - T1ysin(60) + Fysin(45) + T2ysin(30) = 0

Perhaps you mean:
$T1 \sin(70 deg) + T1 \sin(30 deg) = |F| \sin(45 deg) + T2 \sin(60 deg)$

Max0007
Perhaps you mean:
$T1 \sin(70 deg) + T1 \sin(30 deg) = |F| \sin(45 deg) + T2 \sin(60 deg)$
Where did the 70 deg come from?

Where did the 70 deg come from?

I took the complementary angle for 20 deg. You could use cos(20 deg) if you prefer. I find it simpler to see only sin(..)'s for y components.

Max0007
I took the complementary angle for 20 deg. You could use cos(20 deg) if you prefer. I find it simpler to see only sin(..)'s for y components.
I am little confused, you see the angle 30 deg, that force is going which way? right or left.

I am little confused, you see the angle 30 deg, that force is going which way? right or left.

Do you mean the force on pulley 2 due to the tension in the cord that makes the 30 deg angle? It can be regarded as having two components. One component pulls down, the other component pulls to the right.

Max0007
Do you mean the force on pulley 2 due to the tension in the cord that makes the 30 deg angle? It can be regarded as having two components. One component pulls down, the other component pulls to the right.
I mean the direction of the Vector T is it negative or positive in that case on the 30 deg one.

FY:+ T2sin(30) OR - T2sin(30)
FX: - T2cos(30) OR + T2cos(30)

which is the correct one?

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I mean the direction of the Vector T is it negative or positive in that case on the 30 deg one.

I don't know what you mean by "the vector T". The tension in a cord is not a force. It is a property of the cord that let's one deduce the magnitudes of various forces. Tension is a non-negative number. At a particular end of the cord the tension causes a force. A force in 2-D is neither "positive" or "negative". It is the individual components of the force that can be positive or negative. The x-component of the force on pulley 2 due to the tension of the cord is positive if you consider x axis to be horizontal with the positive direction to the right. The y-component of that force is negative if you consider the y-axis to be vertical and upward to be the positive direction. The equation for the y-components of the forces on pulley 2 can be written:

$-T1 \sin(70 deg) - T1 \sin(30 deg) + |F| \sin(45 deg) + T2 \sin(60 deg) = 0$

Max0007
I don't know what you mean by "the vector T". The tension in a cord is not a force. It is a property of the cord that let's one deduce the magnitudes of various forces. Tension is a non-negative number. At a particular end of the cord the tension causes a force. A force in 2-D is neither "positive" or "negative". It is the individual components of the force that can be positive or negative. The x-component of the force on pulley 2 due to the tension of the cord is positive if you consider x axis to be horizontal with the positive direction to the right. The y-component of that force is negative if you consider the y-axis to be vertical and upward to be the positive direction. The equation for the y-components of the forces on pulley 2 can be written:

$-T1 \sin(70 deg) - T1 \sin(30 deg) + |F| \sin(45 deg) + T2 \sin(60 deg) = 0$
Why is it negative T1 sin(70 deg) ? How I see it its positive? If I use T1*cos20 would it be positive ?

Max0007
Why is it negative T1 sin(70 deg) ? How I see it its positive? If I use T1*cos20 would it be positive ?
Also are my other equations good? if I missed a negative I will get wrong answers.

Why is it negative T1 sin(70 deg) ? How I see it its positive? If I use T1*cos20 would it be positive ?

The y-component of force on pulley 2 due to the tension T1 is downward. So it is considered negative regardless of whether you use cos(20 deg) or sin(70 deg) to express it.

Also are my other equations good? if I missed a negative I will get wrong answers.

The notation in your equations doesn't make sense. Rewrite them using proper notation, as paisiello2 suggested.

Max0007
The y-component of force on pulley 2 due to the tension T1 is downward. So it is considered negative regardless of whether you use cos(20 deg) or sin(70 deg) to express it.

The notation in your equations doesn't make sense. Rewrite them using proper notation, as paisiello2 suggested.
I already removed the y/x from my equations just after he posted. It did not update for you?

I already removed the y/x from my equations just after he posted. It did not update for you?

They did update.

On pulley 2, there are two components forces pulling up and two pulling down. There should be 2 terms with minus signs.
On pulley 2, there are two components of force pulling left and two pulling right, There should be 2 terms with minus signs.

On pulley 1, you didn't account for the forces exerted by the support that holds the axis of the pulley. (It isn't useful to write equations for pulley 1.)

Max0007
They did update.

On pulley 2, there are two components forces pulling up and two pulling down. There should be 2 terms with minus signs.
On pulley 2, there are two components of force pulling left and two pulling right, There should be 2 terms with minus signs.

On pulley 1, you didn't account for the forces exerted by the support that holds the axis of the pulley. (It isn't useful to write equations for pulley 1.)
Looks like I cannot edit my thread anymore so here I will update;

Pulley 2:
FY: -T2cos(20) - T1sin(60) + Fsin(45) + T2sin(30) = 0
FX: T2sin(20)+ Fcos(45) -T1cos(60) - T2cos(30) = 0

Box (M);
Fx= T2sin(20) - T1sin(Theta) = 0
Fy= -Wm +T2cos(20) + T1cos(Theta) = 0

I have the Calculator Ti - Nspire, I think with that I can easily use the solve function and find T2 and T1 in Pulley 2, then with T1 and T2 I will be able to find Wm and Theta is that right ?

Thank you so much for helping me.

You have sign mistakes in the equations for pulley 2.

Max0007
You have sign mistakes in the equations for pulley 2.
Pulley 2:
FY: -T2cos(20) + T1sin(60) + Fsin(45) - T2sin(30) = 0
FX: T2sin(20)+ Fcos(45) -T1cos(60) - T2cos(30) = 0

I think this is correct now.

There's still a sign error in the FX: equation.

Are you familiar with "free body diagrams" ?

Max0007
There's still a sign error in the FX: equation.

Are you familiar with "free body diagrams" ?
FX: -T2sin(20)+ Fcos(45) -T1cos(60) + T2cos(30) = 0
Here we go. I am sleepy so I make stupid mistakes.