Free body diagrams and Newton's Law

In summary, two masses, m1 and m2, are connected by a cord and placed on a frictionless table. m1 slides on the table while m2 hangs from a light frictionless pulley. The tension in the cord is T and the mass of m1 is known. The resultant force on the system is F=mg, but it is better to consider a separate free body diagram for each body.
  • #1
Kenny Wallace
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0

Homework Statement


2 masses, m1 and m2 are connected by a cord and placed on a frictionless table as
shown in the diagram below. m1 slides on the frictionless table while m2 is hanging from a light frictionless pulley.
What would be the mass of the hanging mass m2 if we know that the tension in the cord is T and the mass of the sliding mass is m1
upload_2015-5-1_17-26-20.png


The Attempt at a Solution


I drew a free body diagram for the system as a whole then I got that resultant force on the whole system is F=mg since it is only the weight of the two blocks. I don't really know how to go on from there.
 
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  • #2
It's generally better to consider a separate FBD for each body.
 

What is a free body diagram?

A free body diagram is a graphical representation of the forces acting on an object. It is used to analyze the motion of an object according to Newton's Laws of Motion.

How do you draw a free body diagram?

To draw a free body diagram, you first need to identify the object and all the forces acting on it. Then, draw a dot to represent the object and draw arrows to represent the direction and magnitude of each force. Label each force with its name and any known values.

What are Newton's Laws of Motion?

Newton's Laws of Motion are three fundamental laws that describe the behavior of objects in motion. The first law states that an object will remain at rest or in uniform motion unless acted upon by an external force. The second law states that the acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force acting on it and inversely proportional to its mass. The third law states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

How are free body diagrams and Newton's Laws of Motion related?

Free body diagrams are used to apply Newton's Laws of Motion to a specific situation. By visually representing all the forces acting on an object, it becomes easier to analyze and determine the motion of the object according to the laws.

Why are free body diagrams important in science and engineering?

Free body diagrams are important in science and engineering because they allow us to analyze and predict the motion of objects in a systematic and organized manner. They also help us understand the forces involved in various systems and how they interact with each other according to Newton's Laws of Motion.

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