Is the Pulley Reacting to Tension in Lifting Rope?

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    Pulley Rope Tension
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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the mechanics of pulleys and the forces involved when a rope exerts tension while lifting a mass. Participants explore whether the pulley experiences tension from the rope and how this tension interacts with the pulley system in various setups.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that the rope applies tension to the pulley, suggesting that the pulley is indeed acted upon by this tension.
  • Others clarify that tension is considered internal to the rope and that the rope exerts contact forces on the pulley instead.
  • A participant questions the representation of tension with two arrows, leading to a discussion about the nature of tension as a scalar quantity and the equal magnitudes of forces exerted by the rope ends.
  • Another participant notes that the reaction to tension in a lifting rope can vary depending on the specific pulley setup, providing examples such as a rope around a pulley and a winch drum.
  • It is mentioned that there are too many variations of pulley arrangements to provide a singular answer regarding how tension is reacted.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on whether the pulley is acted upon by tension, as there are competing views regarding the nature of tension and its effects on the pulley system.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the dependence on specific pulley arrangements and the lack of resolution on the definitions and interpretations of tension and contact forces.

oreo
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Suppose a pulley is lifting a mass through rope so the rope is applying force to mass in form of Tension. Is the rope also applying that force to pulley i.e Is pulley being acted upon by Tension??
 
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shayan haider said:
Is pulley being acted upon by Tension?
Tension is internal to the rope. The rope exerts contact forces on the pulley.
 
A.T. said:
Tension is internal to the rope. The rope exerts contact forces on the pulley.
Hm but why we express Tension by Two arrows?
 
shayan haider said:
Hm but why we express Tension by Two arrows?
Because the magnitudes of the forces exerted tangentially by the string ends are equal to the tension in the string, which by itself is a scalar.
 
Tension in lifting rope is reacted by various means depending on the set up .

Simple cases
:
Rope continues around pulley to another end which is being pulled to lift the weight
Tensions in the two rope ends are reacted by the pulley bearings .

Rope wraps around a winch drum which is being powered to lift weight .
Tension in lifting rope is reacted by torque of motor acting on drum and by drum bearings .

Too many cases of pulley arrangement to give a general answer .
 

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