Im Despret. Grade 12 Physics Question. PLEASE HELP

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a Grade 12 physics problem involving two blocks connected by a string over a frictionless pulley. The original poster expresses difficulty in understanding the concepts and calculations related to the forces acting on the blocks, specifically regarding kinetic friction, acceleration, and tension in the string.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the setup of the problem, questioning the assumptions about the blocks' positions and the forces involved. There are discussions about applying Newton's second law to derive equations for both blocks and how to solve them simultaneously. The original poster expresses confusion about the calculations leading to the expected results.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on how to set up the equations based on the forces acting on each block. There is an acknowledgment of the original poster's struggle with the calculations, and further clarification is being sought regarding the correct approach to find acceleration and tension.

Contextual Notes

The original poster mentions a lack of sufficient information in the problem statement, specifically regarding the setup of the blocks, which has led to confusion in their calculations. They also express feelings of frustration and inadequacy in their understanding of the material.

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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