How Does Torque Affect Pulley Movement?

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Anish Mohan
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Pulley Torque Works
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the effects of torque on a pulley system with two attached masses. Participants explore the conditions under which the pulley rotates and the calculations of torque based on applied forces and distances from the pulley’s center.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about the torque on a pulley with two equal masses and the direction of its movement, seeking clarification on the mechanics involved.
  • Another participant suggests that the mass of the string should be considered negligible to simplify calculations, proposing a formula for clockwise and anticlockwise torque based on applied force and distance from the pulley’s center.
  • A later reply adds assumptions about the pulley being free to rotate and clarifies the setup involving two free-flowing masses, asking for insights on the direction of rotation under these conditions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants have not reached a consensus on the direction of the pulley’s rotation or the specific calculations involved, indicating that multiple views and uncertainties remain in the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Participants have made various assumptions regarding the system, including the neglect of string mass and the definition of torque direction, which may affect the analysis.

Anish Mohan
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
Hi,

I have a pully with two sticks attached to it as shown in figure. Each stick has a mass in it...which is free to move...and equal iin weight. Assume each mass is equally distant from the pully...what would be the torque on the pully ?..And in which direction the pully move ?
 

Attachments

  • pulley.jpg
    pulley.jpg
    2.9 KB · Views: 501
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
Somebody please give me a reply
 
Anish Mohan said:
Somebody please give me a reply

Assume mass of string (how can stick be used in a single fixed pulley) to be nil because if there will be the string then it will make the calculation very complicated. Now if you apply suppose F Newtons of force. The the clockwise torque will be -(F x perpendicular distance from centre of pulley to line of action).

We assume clockwise to be negative.

The the anticlockwise torque will be F x perpendicular distance from centre of pulley to line of action.

Realize that in this case Tension of string = Force you are exerting on string.
 
Hi Lich King - Thanks for your reply.
There are some assumptions I forgot to mention in my question - my appologies.

The pulley(disk) is free to rotate (as it is placed on a stick, which pass through it's axis).

And it has two sticks attached to it ...with two free flowing mass(both have same mass)...If this disk/pulley is in this situation(as shown in figure)...which side it will rotate ?
 

Similar threads

High School How can tension apply torque on a simple pulley?
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
2K
Undergrad Torque required from powered roller to rotate cylinder
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
3K
Undergrad How Does Torque Affect Balance on a Self-Balancing Electric Unicycle?
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
4K
Undergrad What is the free-body diagram for a massless pulley in free fall?
  • · Replies 31 ·
2
Replies
31
Views
5K
Graduate 1 pulley with mass, 1 mass on the cord, 1 external force, no gravity
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
3K
Undergrad Trying to calculate the net force/torque of a rock climber on a wall
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
High School Simple Counter-balance/Counter-weight Calculation Problem
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
6K
Graduate Modeling the damping of a physical rigid pendulum
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Undergrad How Does Mass Affect the Direction of Rotational Motion in a Pulley System?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Undergrad How much weight required to submerge this object?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
4K