How Does Tension Affect Motion in Atwood's Machine?

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around an Atwood's Machine problem involving two masses, where one mass is heavier than the other. The original poster has calculated the weights of both masses but is uncertain about how to proceed with finding the upward acceleration of one mass and the tension in the rope.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are exploring the relationship between the weights of the two masses and how this affects the acceleration and tension in the system. There is a focus on the significance of the difference in weights and the implications for tension.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided insights regarding the relationship between the accelerations of the two masses and the role of the weights in determining tension. However, there is no explicit consensus on the next steps or methods to solve the problem.

Contextual Notes

The original poster has not provided all details of the problem setup, and there may be assumptions about the system being frictionless and the effects of gravity. The discussion is ongoing, with participants questioning the implications of the given weights and accelerations.

Chandasouk
Messages
163
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement




Atwood's Machine. A load of bricks with mass m_1 = 15.0 kg hangs from one end of a rope that passes over a small, frictionless pulley. A counterweight of mass m_2 = 28.0 kg is suspended from the other end of the rope, as shown in the figure. The system is released from rest.

yf_Figure_05_47.jpg



Homework Equations



F=ma


I really don't know what to do for this one. So far, I just calculated the weight of each masses.

Mass 1 Weight = -147N (15)(-9.8)

Mass 2 Weight = -274.4N (28)(-9.8)
 
Physics news on Phys.org
What's the question you are supposed to answer?
 
Sorry, I have a bad habit of not posting the questions now for some odd reason.

What is the magnitude of the upward acceleration of the load of bricks?
Take the free fall acceleration to be g = 9.80 m/s^2.

What is the tension in the rope while the load is moving?
Take the free fall acceleration to be g = 9.80 m/s^2.
 
The upward acceleration of the bricks will be the same as the downward acceleration of the counterweight. Seems to me that the difference between the two weights is important somehow.

For the tension in the rope, I would think the weights add.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
1K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
4K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
4K
  • · Replies 30 ·
2
Replies
30
Views
4K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
5K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
4K
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
1K
Replies
26
Views
5K