How Do You Calculate Forces and Acceleration in a Two-Block Pulley System?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating forces and acceleration in a two-block pulley system involving a 2.00 kg block and a 3.00 kg block, with a coefficient of kinetic friction of 0.300. Participants emphasize the importance of including all forces in the free body diagram (FBD), particularly the friction acting on both blocks. To determine the acceleration and tension in the strings, users are advised to apply Newton's 2nd law to each block and solve the resulting equations simultaneously.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Newton's laws of motion
  • Knowledge of free body diagrams (FBD)
  • Familiarity with friction concepts, specifically kinetic friction
  • Basic algebra for solving equations
NEXT STEPS
  • Learn how to construct accurate free body diagrams for multi-block systems
  • Study Newton's 2nd law in-depth, particularly its application to pulley systems
  • Explore the effects of friction in mechanical systems, focusing on kinetic friction calculations
  • Practice solving simultaneous equations in physics problems involving multiple forces
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Students studying physics, particularly those focusing on mechanics, as well as educators and anyone involved in teaching or learning about forces in pulley systems.

33639
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I'm having difficulty with this question

In the diagram, the coefficient of kinetic friction between the 2.00 kg and the 3.00 kg blocks is 0.300. The horizontal surface and the pulleys are frictionless, and the masses are released from rest.
(a) Draw a free body diagram of each block.
(b) Determine the acceleration of each block.
(c) Find the tension in the strings.

I've also been given a diagram:
http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b505/homework2012/q5_zpsed497c95.jpg

and here's my FBD: http://i1289.photobucket.com/albums/b505/homework2012/q5_zps75004cd9.jpg

- Am i missing any forces on my FBD Diagram? If yes which ones?
- For part b what would forces would Fnet be equal to, to find the acceleration?
I though it would be Fnet = Fg3 + Ff
Where Fg3 is the 10kg ball
- How many force of friction is acting on the system? Is it just 1 between the 2kg and 3kg blocks? If not one, where are the other Ff?
 
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33639 said:
- Am i missing any forces on my FBD Diagram? If yes which ones?
You forgot the friction acting on the bottom block.
 
Doc Al said:
You forgot the friction acting on the bottom block.

Do you also include that in the FBD diagram for the 3kg block? Because i though it was already accounted for by the 2kg block?

What would Fnet now be equal to to find Tension?
 
33639 said:
Do you also include that in the FBD diagram for the 3kg block?
Of course. You must include all forces acting.
Because i though it was already accounted for by the 2kg block?
Realize that the blocks exert the friction force on each other. Newton's 3rd law.
What would Fnet now be equal to to find Tension?
Apply Newton's 2nd law to each block, then solve those equations together.
 

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