Incline with Pulley, find the mass of one block.

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a 20.0 kg block on a frictionless inclined plane at a 30.0-degree angle, connected via a cord over a frictionless pulley to a second block. The objective is to determine the mass of the second block required for the system to accelerate up the incline at 2.00 m/s².

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss isolating forces acting on the block on the incline and the implications of acceleration on the system. There is consideration of how to apply Newton's second law to both masses and how to set up the equations correctly. Some participants express confusion about the placement of terms in their equations and the relationship between the two masses.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, sharing their equations and reasoning. Some guidance has been offered regarding the algebraic manipulation of the equations, but there is still uncertainty about the correct approach to isolate the mass of the second block.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of previous problems involving similar setups, which may influence the participants' reasoning. The discussion reflects a lack of consensus on how to proceed with the algebraic steps necessary to solve for the unknown mass.

Nirupt
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Homework Statement



A 20.0 kg block rests on a frictionless inclined plane of slope angle 30.0 degrees. A light cord attached to the block passes over a frictionlesss pulley at the top of the plane and is attached to a second block. What must be mass of the second block if the system is to be accelerating up and to the right at 2.00 m/s2?

https://dist-ed.waketech.edu/course...63858134f05bd87414264516909/InclineAtwood.png

Is a link to the image.

I found in class that the answer is 17.7 kg.. however I am stumped on where the numbers should go.



Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/incpl.html#c1 is the link where I use my formulas

Well I do know that if I isolate the mass on the incline

ƩFnetx = -m1g * sin(30°) + Fτ = 2*20

I got 2*20 because of ma, and I know for m1g I substitute (20*9.8) I also know that acceleration is going up the incline, and if I were to remove the pulley and put them on the x-axis, it would be going to the right which is positive, therefore, the acceleration is positive.

Solving for that I get, Fτ = 138N which I know to be true

Now.. isolating m2 I get
ƩFnetx = -Fτ + m2g = 2m

however I have two masses??

In a previous problem when I had to find the mass of m2 if I wanted the objects to be at rest or constant velocity (so I assumed F=ma, but the sum would be 0). I ended up finding the weight of M2 being 98N.. would I plug that in for m2g? I guess not considering it doesn't give me the answer.. but I just wanted some feedback on this.
 
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Nirupt said:

Homework Statement



A 20.0 kg block rests on a frictionless inclined plane of slope angle 30.0 degrees. A light cord attached to the block passes over a frictionlesss pulley at the top of the plane and is attached to a second block. What must be mass of the second block if the system is to be accelerating up and to the right at 2.00 m/s2?

https://dist-ed.waketech.edu/course...63858134f05bd87414264516909/InclineAtwood.png

Is a link to the image.

I found in class that the answer is 17.7 kg.. however I am stumped on where the numbers should go.



Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/incpl.html#c1 is the link where I use my formulas

Well I do know that if I isolate the mass on the incline

ƩFnetx = -m1g * sin(30°) + Fτ = 2*20

I got 2*20 because of ma, and I know for m1g I substitute (20*9.8) I also know that acceleration is going up the incline, and if I were to remove the pulley and put them on the x-axis, it would be going to the right which is positive, therefore, the acceleration is positive.

Solving for that I get, Fτ = 138N which I know to be true

Now.. isolating m2 I get
ƩFnetx = -Fτ + m2g = 2m

however I have two masses??

In a previous problem when I had to find the mass of m2 if I wanted the objects to be at rest or constant velocity (so I assumed F=ma, but the sum would be 0). I ended up finding the weight of M2 being 98N.. would I plug that in for m2g? I guess not considering it doesn't give me the answer.. but I just wanted some feedback on this.
Your last equation should read ƩFnetx = -Fτ + (m_2)g = 2(m_2). Now do the algebra correctly to solve for m_2!
 
So I write the Equation..

m_2 = -138 + m_2g
--------------------
2

However, I still scratch my head at this, and I'm not sure if substituting would work either. Sorry if my algebra skills seem to be lacking... it is 1:37 a.m. where I am at currently.
 
Bring all of the mass dependent quantities to one side and factor it out. Divide the -Ft by accel - grav. You should end up with m_2 = (-138.1)/(2-9.81)
 

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