Heavy chain moving upward at constant velocity

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the force required to lift a heavy chain at a constant velocity. The force, denoted as F, must account for the increasing weight of the chain as it is lifted, which is expressed as a function of the length of the chain above the table (y). Participants clarify that since the velocity is constant, the mass being lifted remains constant over time, allowing for a direct relationship between F and y without time as a variable. The necessary force can be expressed as F = Fa + Fg(y), where Fa is the applied force and Fg(y) represents the gravitational force acting on the length of the chain lifted. The discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding the dynamics of mass entering the system and the implications of Newton's second law in this context.
AHashemi
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Homework Statement


We have a heavy chain with length of L and weight of m placed on a table. we take an end of it and move it with constant velocity of v upwards. so each moment it gets heavier. If the force needed for this uniform speed is called F, and length of chain which is higher than the table is called y, write F as a function of y.

Homework Equations


F=ma
y=vt​

The Attempt at a Solution


equation of chain's weight at each moment is
M=ym/L=vtm/L
and delta M is equal to
\delta M=vm/L
But I can't calculate the force needed to make this motion with uniform speed.
 
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In the first instant, when all the chain is lying on the table, what is the necessary force to accelerate to a certain velocity (assuming your arm has no mass)?
After then what is the necessary condition to keep the velocity constant?
 
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stockzahn said:
In the first instant, when all the chain is lying on the table, what is the necessary force to accelerate to a certain velocity (assuming your arm has no mass)?
After then what is the necessary condition to keep the velocity constant?
When it's all on the table so it has no weight to resist upward movement. chain gets heavier each moment so we need more force (F) to deal with the added weight (Mg). so we have an acceleration here (because F=Ma) but I can't figure out how it increases.
F-Mg=Ma
 
AHashemi said:
When it's all on the table so it has no weight to resist upward movement. chain gets heavier each moment so we need more force (F) to deal with the added weight (Mg).

In your first post you've already shown the connectedness of the weight of the chain as function of the time, hence the necessary force to overcome the gravitation.

AHashemi said:
so we have an acceleration here (because F=Ma) but I can't figure out how it increases.

If the velocity is constant also the mass of the chain which is lifted of the table (vs. time) is constant → constant necessary force depending on the velocity.
 
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stockzahn said:
In your first post you've already shown the connectedness of the weight of the chain as function of the time, hence the necessary force to overcome the gravitation.
If the velocity is constant also the mass of the chain which is lifted of the table (vs. time) is constant → constant necessary force depending on the velocity.

But I need to remove the time parameter here and describe F as a function of y (the length of chain not lying on the table)
I've got a bit confused. need more explanation.
 
AHashemi said:
But I need to remove the time parameter here and describe F as a function of y (the length of chain not lying on the table)

You need the velocity, which is constant and therefore no function of the time (v ≠ f(t)). If the v is constant, then you can substitute: t = y / v. So in the end you would have a function F(y) = Fa + Fg(y) instead of F(t) = Fa + Fg(t), but you've derived the equation for the time-dependent part of the force, so you can substitute the time already. What's missing is the constant (and therefore time-independent) part of the acceleration of the chain leaving the table, so no "t" in your formula. However, I hope I don't misread the statement.
 
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Newton's second law says F = dP/dt
In this case F = m dv/dt + v dm /dt
For this problem dv / dt = 0
So you have F = v dm / dt
Also dm is just p * dL where p is the density of the chain
The rest of the solution should follow.
 
J Hann said:
Newton's second law says F = dP/dt
In this case F = m dv/dt + v dm /dt
For this problem dv / dt = 0
So you have F = v dm / dt
Also dm is just p * dL where p is the density of the chain
The rest of the solution should follow.
That works, but I would add a word of caution.
The formulation F = m dv/dt + v dm /dt can be misleading. Strictly speaking, it implies mass being created out of nothing. In reality, the mass must be entering the system (the system referred to by the P of dP/dt) from somewhere else, and it does so with some initial velocity. Thus, this formulation only works if the added mass is known to have zero initial velocity in the reference frame. In this case, it is.
 
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