How Does Tension Affect Acceleration in a Two-Mass System?

AI Thread Summary
In a two-mass system where a 0.5kg mass is on a frictionless table connected by a string to a 0.02kg hanging mass, the tension in the string is the same on both sides. The tension has both horizontal and vertical components, but the angle of inclination is unknown, complicating the analysis. The only force acting on the system is the gravitational force on the hanging mass, calculated as 0.02g. It's important to consider the total mass of the system, which is 0.5kg plus 0.02kg, when determining acceleration. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for solving the problem effectively.
John O' Meara
Messages
325
Reaction score
0
A body of mass .5kg, rests on a smooth horizontal table, and is connected by a string, which passes over the edge of the table, with a mass of .02kg hanging freely. find the acceleration of the system.
My attempt: let the tension of the piece of string between the table edge and the .5kg body be T directed towards the table edge. This tension is the same as the tension between the table edge and the suspended .02kg body, yes,no?
Since the string between the table edge and the .5kg body in not horizontal, the Tension T has components, Tcos(theta) parallel to the table and Tsin(theta) perpendicular to the table, but the angle theta is unknown.
Thanks.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
As the table is frictionless I would assume that the only force acting is that of gravity. Hence the force acting on the system is 0.02g. Can you go from here? Don't forget the total mass of the system is not 0.02kg.
 

Thread 'Rolling without slipping on a curved surface'

Kindly see the attached pdf. My attempt to solve it, is in it. I'm wondering if my solution is right. My idea is this: At any point of time, the ball may be assumed to be at an incline which is at an angle of θ(kindly see both the pics in the pdf file). The value of θ will continuously change and so will the value of friction. I'm not able to figure out, why my solution is wrong, if it is wrong .
View full post »

Thread 'Struggling to understand the concept of this question (ice cube in water optics question)'

TL;DR Summary: I came across this question from a Sri Lankan A-level textbook. Question - An ice cube with a length of 10 cm is immersed in water at 0 °C. An observer observes the ice cube from the water, and it seems to be 7.75 cm long. If the refractive index of water is 4/3, find the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. I could not understand how the apparent height of the ice cube in the water depends on the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. Does anyone have an...
View full post »

Similar threads

Monkey accelerating up and down a rope
Replies
38
Views
4K
Tension in a deformed cylindrical bag on a surface
Replies
18
Views
1K
Pulley system, find the acceleration and tension
Replies
40
Views
5K
Does Acceleration Affect Tension in a Sphere and Car System?
Replies
18
Views
2K
Motion of connected objects involving a pulley problem
Replies
11
Views
2K
Mechanics problem -- a mass on a table that can freely move on wheels
Replies
4
Views
1K
What causes the acceleration in a circular motion with a pulley system?
Replies
13
Views
3K
Calculating tensions and acceleration
Replies
10
Views
2K
Tension force and acceleration Problem
Replies
1
Views
2K
Mechanics: Two masses on a pulley causing two cylinders to accelerate
Replies
16
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top