Mechanical Energy and Newton's Laws

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem involving mechanical energy and Newton's laws, specifically focusing on a block attached to a rope that is dropped and experiences tension and gravitational forces. The objective is to evaluate the height at which the rope broke based on the given conditions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to reconcile their solution with the provided manual solution, questioning their reasoning regarding the vector triangle formed by tension and weight. Other participants question the assumptions made about the net force acting on the block and its implications for vertical acceleration.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging in the discussion, with one acknowledging a mistake in their initial vector representation after receiving feedback. There is a constructive exchange of ideas, with participants exploring the implications of their assumptions and clarifying their understanding of the forces involved.

Contextual Notes

The original poster's solution involved a misunderstanding of the vector relationships between tension and weight, which led to an incorrect conclusion about the height. The discussion highlights the importance of accurately representing forces in vector form.

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Homework Statement



A block of mass ## m ##, attached to a rope, is dropped at the point A.
When the block reaches the point B, the tension is ## T = 2 \cdot m \cdot g ## and the rope broke at that same point.
If the length of the rope is ## L = 6cm ##, evaluate the height ## h ## where the rope broke.

DDTFdjH.jpg

Homework Equations


The solution's manual uses mechanical energy and the centripetal force ( ## T - m \cdot g \cdot sin\theta = \frac{m \cdot v^{2}}{2} ##). Since ## h = sin \theta \cdot L##, we find the height ## h = 4cm ##.

The Attempt at a Solution


I understand and agree with that solution, but I can't figure out why my solution is wrong.
Since ## W = m \cdot g ## is perpendicular to the horizontal line, we have a vectorial triangle composed by ## \vec{T}, \vec{W}, \vec{F}## (the green, red and purple vectors in the figure below, respectively), where F is the resultant force of T and W, i.e. ## \vec{F} = \vec{T} + \vec{P}## .
In this triangle, we have ## sin \theta = \frac{W}{T} = \frac{W}{2\cdot W} = \frac{1}{2}## and ##sin \theta = \frac{h}{L}##. Therefore, ## h = \frac{L}{2} = 3cm ##. I couldn't find my mistake.
qz7p1GQ.jpg
 
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Welcome to PF!

You are assuming the net force, F, on the block is horizontal. If that were true in general, would the block ever have any vertical acceleration?
 
Thank you very much - for the welcome and for the solution. :)

After your comment, I noticed that in my figure the tension and the weight have similar lenghts. I redone it with more precise lenghts (T = 2W) and, indeed, it's impossible to the resultant vector to be horizontal in terms of vectors. (R is the real resultant vector, and F is the wrong one at my first attempt.)

5u3DiEF.png
 
OK, good.
 

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