Im Despret. Grade 12 Physics Question. PLEASE HELP

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A student struggling with Grade 12 physics seeks help after performing poorly on tests despite completing homework. They express a desire to become an architect but feel overwhelmed and inadequate due to their current grades. A forum member provides guidance on solving a physics problem involving two blocks connected by a pulley, emphasizing the use of Newton's second law. The discussion clarifies how to set up equations for tension and acceleration, leading to the correct answers. The student expresses gratitude for the assistance, indicating a newfound understanding of the concepts.
Arliena
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Hello, I am new. I am soo despret. I want to become an Architect but I'm dumb. I aws doing fine getting 84% in physics university 11, but now, I am taking physics 12 university and I don't get the answers right 65% of the time. I am so despret for help. My parents cannot afford to get me a tutor. At least half of my classmates gets nice marks on the test, but I am soo stupid that i failed the first test. And yes, I did do all my homework. I feel soo stupid its ridiculous. I need serious help.

Question 1) Block A and B are connected by a string passing an essentially frictionless pulley. When the blocks are in motion, Block A experiences a force of kinetic friction of magnitude 5.7N. If Ma= 2.7kg and Mb=3.7kg, calculate the magnitude of

a) The acceleration of the blocks
b) The tension in the string.

I have one more question but i think I am asking too much. PLEASE HELP.
 
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hi there
Your question gives inadequate information, whether blocks are on a table or not. But from the available data, it is reasonable to assume that block A is on a table, block B is hanging around the pulley - those are my assumptions.
Under my assumptions, look at the block A first. There is friction(f) and tension(T) in the string. This gives: T - f = Ma*a ___________ 1
Again, look at the block B. There is its weight, Mb*g and tension. This gives:
Mb*g - T = Mb*a __________ 2
Here the two tensions for A and B are equal because the pulley has no friction and acceleration of A and B are equal because they move together - there is no relative velocity between those two.
Solving 1 and 2 gives both tension and acceleration.
Good luck with your studies, Arliena.
Thanks
 
Hello, Thank you SOO mch for your reply! I am very sorry for my poor discription. And yes, you're right. The block A is on the table. However, I don't understand how i can get the acceleration by using (MB)(g)-T=(MB)(A) because i don't know both Acceleration and the Tension. The texbook says the Answers are:

A) 4.8m/s*2
B) 19N

but I don't know how you got them.
3978375339_36c5754d0d.jpg
 
Last edited:
hi there
In the first eq, you know friction and mass of A. For the second eq, you know mass of B and g. This gives you a two simultaneous eq's in two unknowns which I think is easy enough to solve. You have two eq's, not one.
 
I got them by separately using Newton's second law for each block.
net force = mass times acceleration
 
Hello, Thanks again for your reply! I tried for A) using (MB)(g)-T=(MB)(A)
(3.7)(9.8)down-(5.7)=(3.7)(a) to (3.7)(9.8)/(3.7) - 5.7 Since 3.7 cancel, I am left with 9.8-5.7 but that doesn't give me 4.8 m/s*2 , it gives me 4.1
 
hi there again,
T - f = Ma*a __________ 1
Mb*g - T = Mb*a ______ 2
Add 1 and 2, you get: Mb*g - f = (Ma + Mb)a
Plug in everything except a, and you get exactly 4.775
Plug in the value of a in any of the two eq's.
 
WOW I didn't know that. Seriously... these questions look soo hard but then its simple. THANK YOU VERY VERY MUCH. You don't understand how much you've helped me. Bless you.
 

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