Heavy chain moving upward at constant velocity

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a heavy chain of length L and weight m, which is being lifted vertically at a constant velocity v. The original poster seeks to express the force F required to maintain this motion as a function of y, the length of the chain that is elevated above the table.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the relationship between the weight of the chain and the force required to lift it, questioning how the force changes as more of the chain is lifted. Some participants explore the implications of constant velocity on the mass being lifted and the necessary force.

Discussion Status

Several participants have offered insights into the dynamics of the problem, including the application of Newton's second law and the relationship between force, mass, and acceleration. There is an ongoing exploration of how to express the force as a function of the length of the chain above the table, with some participants noting the need to eliminate time from the equation.

Contextual Notes

Participants are grappling with the challenge of formulating the force in terms of y, while considering the implications of constant velocity and the changing mass of the chain as it is lifted. There is a recognition that the problem may involve complexities related to the mass entering the system and its initial conditions.

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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