How Do You Calculate Tension in a Frictionless Pulley System?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Arnoldjavs3
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Forces Pulleys
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the tension in a cable connecting two masses in a frictionless pulley system, with specific angles and mass values provided.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the setup of equations for each mass, with one participant expressing confusion about the negative acceleration obtained. Another questions the complexity of the equation for the 6 kg mass compared to the 5 kg mass, suggesting that similar principles apply.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different approaches to relate the tensions and accelerations. Some guidance has been offered regarding the forces acting on the masses, but no consensus has been reached on the correct method to proceed.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the assumption that all surfaces are frictionless, and there may be confusion regarding the angles and their impact on the calculations.

Arnoldjavs3
Messages
191
Reaction score
3
1. Homework Statement
Calculate the tension in the cable connecting the two masses. Assume all surfaces are frictionless.

http://tinypic.com/r/20jg36s/7

2. Homework Equations



3. The Attempt at a Solution
I tried to begin the solution but came out with a negative acceleration (-2m/s^2)
For the 5 kg mass:
Ft-Fg2sin60=ma
Ft-(5)(9.8)sin60=5a
Ft-49sin60=5a
I wasn't sure how to get the equation for the 6 kg mass...
1. Homework Statement



2. Homework Equations



3. The Attempt at a Solution
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Why would the equation for the 6 kg mass be more difficult than that of the 5 kg one? The same principles apply. Just make sure you relate the string tensions and accelerations properly according to your conventions and you should be able to solve it.
 
But I'm on the right path here?
 
Get Fg1 * sin(60 degrees) and Fg2 * sin(70 degrees) and then determine the magnitude and direction of the tension force.
 

Similar threads

Calculating tension of objects with a pulley on an incline
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
Problem with pulleys - two fixed and one movable
  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
2K
Newton's Second Law -- Accelerations in a pulley system
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
5K
Newton’s Law of Motions: tension forces in a pulley
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
A system comprising blocks, a light frictionless pulley, and
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
4K
Pulley system problem: 6 Pulleys and 1 Mass
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
1K
'Force on pulley by a string' conception
  • · Replies 29 ·
Replies
29
Views
6K
Calculate Tension in the String
  • · Replies 24 ·
Replies
24
Views
10K
Work Done by Gravity and Tension in a Pulley System
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
Peculiar Acceleration: Solving a Massless and Frictionless Pulley Problem
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K