Kinetic Energy on Pulley/Incline System

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving two blocks connected by a string over a frictionless pulley. One block is on an incline with kinetic friction, while the other is subjected to an external force. The original poster is attempting to calculate the change in kinetic energy of the block on the incline as it moves a specified distance.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of energy conservation principles, including work done by friction and applied forces, as well as gravitational potential energy changes. There are attempts to calculate work and acceleration, with varying results and methods presented.

Discussion Status

Several participants are exploring different interpretations of the problem, particularly regarding the calculations of work and acceleration. Some have provided numerical values for work done and acceleration, while others question the assumptions made about forces and mass. There is no explicit consensus on the correct approach or calculations at this stage.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that some information may be missing, such as the configuration of the second block and the nature of the applied force. There are also discussions about the implications of gravitational potential energy in the calculations.

spacecataz
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Hey, this is my first time posting on PhysicsForums! I usually go through the archives but I couldn't find a problem like this.

Two blocks m1 and m2 with masses 50 kg and 100 kg respectively are connected by a string over a pulley that is frictionless with negligible mass. The 50 kg block slides on a 37 degree incline that has a coefficient of kinetic friction of .25. The system is released from rest with a force of 25 N pulling down on the 100 kg block. Calculate the change in kinetic energy of block m1 as it moves a distance of 20 m up the incline.

I think I'm supposed to use this:
\Delta K + \Delta U_{g1}+\Delta U_{g2} = W_{friction} + W_{applied}

So far I have
W_{friction} = -\mu m_{1}gcos(\Theta)d
W_{applied} = Fd
\Delta U_{g1} = m_{1}gdsin(\Theta)
\Delta U_{g2} = m_{2}gd

The answer is supposed to be 4090 J but when I crank out the numbers I don't get that.
What am I missing?! I've stared at this problem for too long. Thank for any help.
 
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When the systen is released from the rest, they must have the same acceleration. Using free body diagram find the acceleration.
You have given the answer.But you didn't show any calculation. How should I where you are missing?
 
Here are the numbers I get...
Wf = -1956.6
Ug1 = 5897.8
Ug2 = 19600
Wapp = 500

Also, doing what you said, I found the acceleration to be 5.88 which I used kinematics to find the velocity and then the kinetic energy but got 1150.

What's the problem!?
 
Some information is missing; where is m2? Dangling off the pulley?
 
spacecataz said:
I think I'm supposed to use this:
\Delta K + \Delta U_{g1}+\Delta U_{g2} = W_{friction} + W_{applied}
That should work, as long as you realize that \Delta K is the KE of both masses.

So far I have
W_{friction} = -\mu m_{1}gcos(\Theta)d
W_{applied} = Fd
Good.
\Delta U_{g1} = m_{1}gdsin(\Theta)
\Delta U_{g2} = m_{2}gd
That second one should be negative, since m2 moves down.
 
Wfriction = mu*m1*g*sin(theta)*d. Component of g along the inclined plane is
gsin(theta). And the pulling force must be 25N in addition of its weight.Try again.
 
rl.bhat said:
Wfriction = mu*m1*g*sin(theta)*d. Component of g along the inclined plane is
gsin(theta).
No. The friction force is mu*N = mu*m1*g*cos(theta).

And the pulling force must be 25N in addition of its weight.
No. By considering gravitational PE, the effect of the weight is automatically included.
 
Yes.You are right.
 
Also, doing what you said, I found the acceleration to be 5.88 which I used kinematics to find the velocity and then the kinetic energy but got 1150.
If you assume that 25N force is applied to 100kg mass by adding some mass to it. And that mass will be 25/9.8 = 2.55kg. So by taking total mass as 102.55kg I got the acceleration as 5.79ms^-2. 50 kg mass start from rest and covers 20m with acceleration 5.79ms^-2. Using the formula
v^2 = u^2 + 2as = 2*5.79*20. And KE = 1/2*50*2*5.79*20. = 5790J.
 
  • #10
spacecataz said:
Also, doing what you said, I found the acceleration to be 5.88
Please show how you got that acceleration. (I get a different value.)
rl.bhat said:
If you assume that 25N force is applied to 100kg mass by adding some mass to it. And that mass will be 25/9.8 = 2.55kg.
An applied force of 25N is not equivalent to adding 2.55 kg of mass. This is an incorrect approach.
 

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