Mechanics: Acceleration in Pulley System

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the acceleration of a two-block pulley system where a 3.0-kg block is atop a 5.0-kg block. The applied force is 97.9 N, derived from an initial calculation of 89 N, increased by 10%. The friction coefficients are 0.65 for static and 0.37 for kinetic friction. The final acceleration calculated for the system is approximately 5.89 m/s², confirming the accuracy of the calculations presented.

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  • Understanding of Newton's laws of motion
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  • Ability to solve equations involving multiple forces
  • Familiarity with basic mechanics of pulley systems
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1. The problem
GIANCOLI.ch05.p031.jpg
A 3.0-kg block sits on top of a 5.0-kg block which is on a horizontal surface. The 5.0-kg block is pulled to the right with a force ##\overrightarrow{F}## shown in the figure. The coefficient of static friction between all surfaces is 0.65 and the kinetic coefficient is 0.37.

If the force is 10% greater than your answer for (a), what is the acceleration of each block?

3. The attempt

For part (a), I correctly calculated the force to be ##F\approx89~\textrm{N}## thus making the new force ##F=97.9 ~\textrm{N}##

Solving for ##a## where ## F_{f3}=## the force of friction between the two blocks and ##F_{f5}=## the force of friction between the lower block and the ground, I get the following:
$$F-T-F_{f3} -F_{f5}=m_5a$$
Substituting ##F_{f3}-m_3a## for Tension:
$$F-2F_{f3}-m_3a-F_{f5}=m_5a\Rightarrow \frac{F-2F_{f3}-F_{f5}}{m_3+m_5}=a\Rightarrow \frac{F-2m_3g\mu-(m_3+m_5) g\mu}{m_3+m_5}=a$$
$$\frac{97.9 \textrm{N} -6\textrm{kg}\cdot 9.8\frac{m}{s^2}(.37)-8\textrm{kg}\cdot9.8\frac{m}{s^2}(.37)}{(8\textrm{kg})}\approx 5.89 \frac{m}{s^2}$$

Is this correct?
 
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It is correct. Nice work!

ehild
 

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