Free body diagrams and Newton's Law

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on solving a physics problem involving two masses, m1 and m2, connected by a cord over a frictionless pulley. The tension in the cord is denoted as T, and the mass of the sliding mass is m1. The key conclusion is that to analyze the forces accurately, it is essential to create separate free body diagrams (FBD) for each mass rather than treating the system as a whole. This approach clarifies the relationship between tension, gravitational force, and the masses involved.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Newton's Laws of Motion
  • Familiarity with Free Body Diagrams (FBD)
  • Basic knowledge of tension in strings and pulleys
  • Concept of frictionless surfaces in physics
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the application of Newton's Second Law in multi-body systems
  • Learn how to draw and analyze Free Body Diagrams for complex systems
  • Explore the concept of tension in different pulley systems
  • Investigate the effects of friction on motion and tension in real-world scenarios
USEFUL FOR

Students studying physics, particularly those focusing on mechanics, as well as educators looking for effective methods to teach concepts related to forces and motion.

Kenny Wallace
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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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It's generally better to consider a separate FBD for each body.
 

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