Newton's Laws of Motion : Block Problem

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving Newton's Laws of Motion, specifically focusing on the dynamics of two blocks connected by pulleys on frictionless surfaces. The original poster presents a scenario with given masses and an external force, seeking to determine the accelerations of the blocks and the forces acting on them.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the forces acting on the larger block M, questioning whether the force is simply due to tension or involves multiple components. There is also discussion about the direction of forces on the pulleys and how they affect the blocks.

Discussion Status

The conversation is ongoing, with participants asking clarifying questions and exploring different interpretations of the forces involved. Some guidance has been offered regarding considering the block and pulleys as a single system, but no consensus has been reached on the specific forces acting on block M.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating assumptions about the system's setup, including the role of tension in the strings and the effects of the pulleys. There is a focus on understanding the net forces and accelerations without definitive answers being provided.

rajumahtora
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Homework Statement



In the arrangement shown, all surfaces are frictionless, mass of block M = 30 kg and m = 20 kg.
If F = 180 N , Find accelerations of both the blocks
attachment.php?attachmentid=65490&stc=1&d=1389379517.jpg


2. Doubt

What amt of force will act on larger block M, just T(coz of horizontal string around the pulley) or 2T(coz of both the strings around the pulley)
 

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Imagine that the pulleys were not attached to anything else except the string. In which directions do you think they would be pulled?
 
hi rajumahtora! :smile:

when you consider the forces on a body, you must consider the whole body …

the block M is attached to the pulleys, so you must consider the external forces on the block-plus-pulleys :wink:
 
rajumahtora said:

Homework Statement


In the arrangement shown, all surfaces are frictionless, mass of block M = 30 kg and m = 20 kg.
If F = 180 N , Find accelerations of both the blocks

attachment.php?attachmentid=65514&stc=1&d=1389452404.jpg



2. Doubt

How much force will be applied on the larger block M by the pulley(coz of tension)?
1. T towards right
2. T towards up
3. T√2 45° to the right
4. Any other answer


3.Reason for doubt

If the total for exerted on the T i(cap) + T j(cap) i.e. Fnet on Bock M due to tension of string on pulley is T√2,
then there will be a force which will tend to pull block M upward...and if the accln of string is much higher, then the tension in the string will cause the block to accelerate up.

[To Jilang and tiny-tim,
After reading ur answer, i had this doubt too...so i asked again]

If anything else, please answer...
Thanks

(please don't start a new thread)

as i said before, so you must consider the external forces on the block-plus-pulleys (as a single body), not just the block on its own
 
rajumahtora, please clarify your question. There are two pulleys attached to M. Are you asking what the net force on M is from the two pulleys, or what force each pulley exerts on the block separately?
(What do you think the two separate forces are?)
 

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