How Is Tension Calculated When Lifting a Bowling Ball?

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the tension in a rope lifting a bowling ball. The scenario describes a bowling ball suspended from a ceiling hook, with an initial upward force of 75 N exerted by the rope. The ball is then pulled upward, rising 1.2 meters in 1.5 seconds.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the forces acting on the bowling ball and the need for a vector diagram. Some explore calculating velocity and acceleration, while others express confusion about the problem's solvability and the implications of the given forces.

Discussion Status

Several participants have attempted calculations related to velocity and acceleration, with one participant claiming to have found a solution for tension. However, there is a noted discrepancy regarding the mass of the bowling ball, leading to further questioning and exploration of assumptions about the problem setup.

Contextual Notes

There is uncertainty regarding the mass of the bowling ball, as one participant suggests that the calculated mass seems implausible. The discussion reflects a mix of interpretations and attempts to reconcile the initial conditions with the calculations being made.

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Homework Statement


A bowling ball is suspended from a ceiling hook using a thin piece of rope. The rope is
exerting a 75 N force upward on the ball. Suppose that the rope is unhooked from the ceiling and pulled upward so that the
bowling ball rises 1.2 meters in 1.5 seconds. What will be the tension in the rope during
this time?


Homework Equations


No clue


The Attempt at a Solution


I'm completely lost.
 
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physicsnobrain said:

Homework Statement


A bowling ball is suspended from a ceiling hook using a thin piece of rope. The rope is
exerting a 75 N force upward on the ball. Suppose that the rope is unhooked from the ceiling and pulled upward so that the
bowling ball rises 1.2 meters in 1.5 seconds. What will be the tension in the rope during
this time?


Homework Equations


No clue


The Attempt at a Solution


I'm completely lost.
Can you draw a vector diagram showing all the forces on the ball? What must these force vectors sum to?

AM
 
Andrew Mason said:
Can you draw a vector diagram showing all the forces on the ball? What must these force vectors sum to?

AM

t0i980.png


I can find the Vy by doing v=d/t, then using the equation y = yi + yvit + 1/2at^2 to find the acceleration. I find the y velocity to be 0.8 m/s and the acceleration to be 1.06667 m/s^2. After this I have no idea what to do
 
Is this question possible to solve? Does anyone know?
 
Huzzah! I have figured it out!

First one must solve for the velocity in the y direction by doing v=d/t which is 1.2m/1.5s and this equals to 0.8m/s.


Now since you have the velocity you can now solve for the acceleration.

We use this equation:

y = Yi + Yvit + 1/2at^2

Solving for acceleration we get: 1.06667 m/s^2

Now since we have the acceleration one can now solve for the mass using

F = ma

75N = m(1.06667)

m= 70.3 kg


Now since we have the mass we can solve for force of tension using this

Fnet = Ft - Fg

we use this because we have to do Ft - Fg because Ft is bigger than Fg obviously because if it wasn't then gravity would pull it down but this is not the case since it is moving up.

Anyways, since Fnet = ma we will solve for Ft (the force of tension or simply put tension) because this is what the question asks us to do !

Anyways now we can rearrange that formula and turn it into this to solve for tension because we are looking for it:

Ft = Fnet + Fg

which equals:

Ft = ma + mg
Ft = 70.3kg(1.06667) + (70.3kg)(9.81)

Ft = 764 N

The force of tension is 764N.


Thanks for all the help and information everyone! It was sooo useful!
 
physicsnobrain said:
Huzzah! I have figured it out!

First one must solve for the velocity in the y direction by doing v=d/t which is 1.2m/1.5s and this equals to 0.8m/s.


Now since you have the velocity you can now solve for the acceleration.

We use this equation:

y = Yi + Yvit + 1/2at^2

Solving for acceleration we get: 1.06667 m/s^2

Now since we have the acceleration one can now solve for the mass using

F = ma

75N = m(1.06667)

m= 70.3 kg


Now since we have the mass we can solve for force of tension using this

Fnet = Ft - Fg

we use this because we have to do Ft - Fg because Ft is bigger than Fg obviously because if it wasn't then gravity would pull it down but this is not the case since it is moving up.

Anyways, since Fnet = ma we will solve for Ft (the force of tension or simply put tension) because this is what the question asks us to do !

Anyways now we can rearrange that formula and turn it into this to solve for tension because we are looking for it:

Ft = Fnet + Fg

which equals:

Ft = ma + mg
Ft = 70.3kg(1.06667) + (70.3kg)(9.81)

Ft = 764 N

The force of tension is 764N.


Thanks for all the help and information everyone! It was sooo useful!
The only problem is that it is not correct! The mass of the ball is nowhere near 70.3 kg.! No one could lift it if that were the case.

The force of tension is 75N when the ball is stationary. So what does that tell you about the mass of the ball?

Once you have m, you can use your equation:

Ft = mg + ma

AM
 

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