Gravity force acting on masses and springs

7 replies · 2K views · last reply
omka
Hello
Please why the mass m3 does not fall?
 
Attachments
  • Mass-spring-damper diagram with three masses m1, m2 and m3 in a row, connected by springs k1, k2, k3 and k4 and dampers cv1 and cv2, with forces f1(t), f2(t) and f3(t) and displacements x1, x2 and x3 marked.
    Screenshot_2017-10-16-18-54-27-1.png
    12 KB · Views: 705
omka said:
Hello
Please why the mass m3 does not fall?
That's probably a top view looking down on a frictionless table?
 
berkeman said:
That's probably a top view looking down on a frictionless table?
Thank you berkeman for your reply. In the exercice they don't talk about table.
 
You're welcome. Yeah, if the masses were hanging cantilevered off to the right like that, it would be a pretty weird setup. :smile:

If you have any other questions about this problem or other schoolwork problems, be sure to post them in the Homework Help forums, and fill out the Template you are provided there. :smile:
 
berkeman said:
You're welcome. Yeah, if the masses were hanging cantilevered off to the right like that, it would be a pretty weird setup. :smile:

If you have any other questions about this problem or other schoolwork problems, be sure to post them in the Homework Help forums, and fill out the Template you are provided there. :smile:

It's not homework, i just wondered when I read a book and did this exercise
 
More generally, M3 does not fall because it is a one-dimensional motion problem. There are guides or constraints acting that are not shown.