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

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating forces and acceleration in a two-block pulley system involving kinetic friction. The problem includes analyzing free body diagrams (FBD) for two blocks with specified masses and a coefficient of friction, while considering the effects of gravity and tension in the strings.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to identify forces in their FBD and questions whether they have accounted for all relevant forces, particularly friction. They seek clarification on how to determine the net force and tension in the system.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging in clarifying the forces involved, particularly the role of friction between the blocks. Some guidance has been offered regarding the inclusion of all forces in the FBDs and the application of Newton's laws to analyze the system.

Contextual Notes

There is a focus on understanding the interactions between the blocks, particularly how friction acts between them, and the implications of Newton's third law in this context. The problem setup includes specific conditions like frictionless surfaces and the masses being released from rest.

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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