Help with Pulleys: Weight on Anchored Rope?

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter bryan0087
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Pulleys
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the mechanics of a pulley system with a 100-pound weight suspended from one end and the other end anchored to the ground. The consensus is that the pulley experiences a total force of 200 pounds due to the equal tension on both sides of the rope. This scenario illustrates the principle of mechanical advantage, where a 100-pound force can lift a 200-pound weight using a block and tackle system. The analysis confirms that the total load on the pulley is indeed 200 pounds.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic physics principles, particularly forces and tension.
  • Familiarity with pulley systems and mechanical advantage concepts.
  • Knowledge of block and tackle mechanisms.
  • Basic mathematical skills for force calculations.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the principles of mechanical advantage in pulley systems.
  • Learn about different types of pulley systems, including fixed and movable pulleys.
  • Study the calculations involved in tension and force distribution in pulley setups.
  • Explore practical applications of block and tackle systems in lifting heavy objects.
USEFUL FOR

Engineers, physics students, and anyone interested in mechanical systems or lifting techniques will benefit from this discussion.

bryan0087
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
So I have started a conundrum with a question about pulleys. There is one pulley anchored and suspended from a ceiling. There is a 100 pound weight suspended on one pulley and the other end of the rope is anchored to the ground. The question is how much weight is on the pulley? 50 pounds, 100 pounds, or 200 pounds? There is equal force on each end of the rope, so technically there is 100 pounds of force on each side, but does that mean there is 200 pounds on the pulley?
 

Attachments

  • pulley.jpg
    pulley.jpg
    4.9 KB · Views: 511
Physics news on Phys.org
By observation there should be 200 pounds of force on the rope holding the pulley (sum of forces in the vertical direction, ignoring angles).
 
bryan0087 said:
So I have started a conundrum with a question about pulleys. There is one pulley anchored and suspended from a ceiling. There is a 100 pound weight suspended on one pulley and the other end of the rope is anchored to the ground. The question is how much weight is on the pulley? 50 pounds, 100 pounds, or 200 pounds? There is equal force on each end of the rope, so technically there is 100 pounds of force on each side, but does that mean there is 200 pounds on the pulley?

Yes. And notice that if you were to turn the picture upside down, you'd see how you could lift a 200-lb weight by applying a 100-lb force. This is how a block and tackle works as a lifting aid.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
870
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
3K
  • · Replies 31 ·
2
Replies
31
Views
5K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
5K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 23 ·
Replies
23
Views
3K