The discussion revolves around tension problems in physics, specifically within the context of forces and Newton's Laws as encountered in an AP Physics 1 course. The original poster presents a scenario involving a flowerpot suspended by ropes at an angle, seeking guidance on how to approach similar tension-related problems and free body diagrams.
Participants are actively engaging with each other's reasoning, with some offering insights into the calculations and concepts involved. There is a mix of confusion and attempts to clarify the role of angles in tension calculations, as well as the implications of multiple ropes supporting the same weight.
Some participants express uncertainty about the conventions of positive and negative forces, particularly in relation to gravity and tension. There is also mention of the original poster's lack of prior physics experience, which may influence their understanding of the concepts discussed.
I would ask what the deep meaning of the origin of the netwon is but yes a Newton is a kilogram meter / second squared. Because weight is a force (measured in Newtons) it is the mass time the gravity (gravity can also be seen as an acceleration downward caused by the earth)Wanting to Learn said:Okay, in class we use kg and N. So are Newtons meaning weight and force the same meaning/measurement? I didn't know that Newtons are a unit of weight, just that they are used for force measurements, such as F=ma.
That is another question I have is that in F=ma the units are Newtons = kg * m/s2
How does this work? As in for every other math/chem etc thing/equation units always (in my knowledge/class experience) have to cancel, (ex with PV=nRT in chemistry the units of R always ensure that all the units cancel).
Is a Newton equivalent to a kilogram meter divided by second squared (N=kg*m/s2)?
I guess that is the case, but why? I always wonder how units such as that come to be - is it just for convenience because those happen to be the units that are used, or is there a more specific reason?
(I realize this turned into a really long/different question and it's okay if you're not sure about these questions.)
(Maybe I should make the second half of this a new thread?)
Okay, thank you very much.DoctorPhysics said:I would ask what the deep meaning of the origin of the netwon is but yes a Newton is a kilogram meter / second squared. Because weight is a force (measured in Newtons) it is the mass time the gravity (gravity can also be seen as an acceleration downward caused by the earth)
The weight of an object means the force exerted on it by gravitational attraction (of the planet etc. that it is near). That is why an object weighs less on the moon than on Earth even though its mass is the same. So yes, weight is a force.Wanting to Learn said:weight and force the same meaning/measurement?
Because that is how the unit Newton is defined, for convenience. In the SI systems, units are, as far as possible, chosen such that there are no conversion factors needed. The current international standard (there are older ones) is known as MKS, standing for metres, kilograms, seconds. The definitions of Pascal, Newton, Joule and Watt all arise directly from these.Wanting to Learn said:Is a Newton equivalent to a kilogram meter divided by second squared (N=kg*m/s2)?
I guess that is the case, but why