Newton's laws,solving for tension (smthn wrong with my work)?

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The discussion revolves around calculating the maximum tension in a rope pulling a toy cart up an inclined ramp, considering the forces acting on both the cart and a load on top. The original equations presented by the user fail to account for the gravitational force acting on the load, particularly the component along the incline. Participants emphasize the need to include the gravitational force in the force balance equations, specifically suggesting the addition of -m2gsin(θ) to the horizontal force equation. The user is confused about how to correctly incorporate gravity into their calculations. Ultimately, the key takeaway is that proper consideration of gravitational forces is essential for accurately solving the problem.
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A flat-topped toy cart moves on frictionless wheels, pulled by a rope under tension The mass of the cart is m1. A load of mass m2 rests on top of the cart with the coefficient of static friction u between the cart and the load. The cart is pulled up a ramp that is inclined at an angle theta above the horizontal. The rope is parallel to the ramp. What is the maximum tension T that can be applied without causing to load to slip?

Okay. I figure this problem is fairly simple right?
(i) Fx = m2a
(ii) ff = m2a
(iii)Fy = 0
(iv)Fn - m2gcos = 0
(v) Fn = m2gcos
Plug v into (ii)
(vi) um2gcos = m2a
(vii) a = ugcos
Now sum forces for the cart
(vii) T - ff = (m1+m2)a
Plug in (vi) and (vii)
T - um2gcos = (m1+m2)(ugcos)
Here's my problem. The final answer is simply T = (m1+m2)(ugcos). Meaning there's an obvious problem with my work here...

What's the problem here? I'm so confused! My teacher suggested "adding m2gsin" to my fx equation, so like m2a + m2gsin? Because I tried that out and it still didn't work. Any help is great help, thanks in advance
 
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JadeLove said:
(i) Fx = m2a
(ii) ff = m2a
What about gravity?
(iii)Fy = 0
(iv)Fn - m2gcos = 0
(v) Fn = m2gcos
OK.
Plug v into (ii)
(vi) um2gcos = m2a
(vii) a = ugcos
You'll need to fix this since you left out gravity on m2.
Now sum forces for the cart
(vii) T - ff = (m1+m2)a
The cart has mass m1, not m1 + m2. (And you forgot about gravity again.)
 
Last edited:
Doc Al said:
What about gravity?

OK.

You'll need to fix this since you left out gravity on m2.

The cart has mass m1, not m1 + m2. (And you forgot about gravity again.)

-------

Right, so does that mean it's m2a + m2gsin, with gravity added? or am I wrong??
 
JadeLove said:
Right, so does that mean it's m2a + m2gsin, with gravity added? or am I wrong??
Adding gravity to your m2 equation means adding -m2gsinθ to ƩFx.
 
Doc Al said:
Adding gravity to your m2 equation means adding -m2gsinθ to ƩFx.

Okay, thanks ^__^
 
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