How do I solve for the angle in Newton's Second Law problem with two unknowns?

In summary, Haruspex is working on case 2 and is having trouble solving for a. He is using N for normal and Newtons for the newtons of the force on block A in the upward direction. He has two equations with two unknowns but can't solve for a. He thinks he has solved it but can't remember how. He has an attempt at solving it but is struggling. He has found ψ such that sin ψ = b/√(a2+b2) and cos ψ = c/√(a2+b2). He solves for θ+ψ to get 7.42.
  • #1
Clever_name
125
0

Homework Statement



See the this link for problem statement, http://i48.tinypic.com/vphsm1.jpg

Case 1 I've solved, however I'm unsure about how good my solution is for case 2.

Homework Equations


F=ma Fu = N * uk

The Attempt at a Solution



Ok first I sum the forces in the y direction orientated about the log so my y direction is normal to the log.

N - 400(9.81)cos(a) = 0

then i do a force summation in the x direction.
0.5*N -2T +400*9.81sin(a)=0

next I do a force summation on block A in the upward direction, where the downward direction is positive,

125(9.81)-T = 0
so T =1226.25 N

Now this where i get stuck.
I have two equations with two unknowns but can't solve for a. my attempt is as follows:

N=400*9.81*cos(a)

then i sub this into 0.5*N -2T + 200*9.81sin(a)
to get 1962cos(a) -2452.5 + 3924sin(a) =0

but i cannot solve this equation for a.

Any tips on where I'm going wrong would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
 
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  • #2
Clever_name said:
N - 400(9.81)cos(a) = 0
It says 200kg, not 400.
next I do a force summation on block A in the upward direction, where the downward direction is positive,

125(9.81)-T = 0
= 0? The log is accelerating but the block isn't?
 
  • #3
Hi Haruspex,

I'm working on case 2
 
  • #4
Clever_name said:
I'm working on case 2
Sorry - missed that.
N - 400(9.81)cos(a) = 0

then i do a force summation in the x direction.
0.5*N -2T +400*9.81sin(a)=0
In case 2, the log is on the point of slipping down. Which way is the friction acting?
next I do a force summation on block A in the upward direction, where the downward direction is positive,

125(9.81)-T = 0
so T =1226.25 N

N=400*9.81*cos(a)

then i sub this into 0.5*N -2T + 200*9.81sin(a)
400 :wink:
to get 1962cos(a) -2452.5 + 3924sin(a) =0
Your use of N for normal and N for Newtons is confusing.
Given a sin θ + b cos θ = c, divide both sides by √(a2+b2). Then find ψ s.t. a/√(a2+b2) = cos ψ, etc.
 
  • #5
You said "Given a sin θ + b cos θ = c, divide both sides by √(a2+b2). Then find ψ s.t. a/√(a2+b2) = cos ψ, etc."
I really am confused by the second sentence... could you explain it to me i don't know what "s.t. a/√(a2+b2) = cos ψ" means.

Thanks!
 
  • #6
Clever_name said:
"Given a sin θ + b cos θ = c, divide both sides by √(a2+b2). Then find ψ s.t. a/√(a2+b2) = cos ψ, etc."
s.t. is an abbreviation for "such that". You can find ψ from a/√(a2+b2) = cos ψ, right? It follows that sin ψ = b/√(a2+b2). So you have
cos ψ sin θ + sin ψ cos θ = c/√(a2+b2) = sin (θ+ψ). Solve that to find θ+ψ.
 
  • #7
Ok my attempt is as follows:

1962cos(∅) +3924sin(∅)= 2452.5

first i divide through by 3924, to get 0.5cos(∅)+sin(∅)=0.625.

so a/(a^2+b^2)^1/2= cos(ψ)

so 1/(1^2 +0.5^2)^1/2 =cos(ψ) so ψ = 26.57

then c/√(a2+b2) = sin (θ+ψ)

so 0.625/(1^2 +0.5^2)^1/2 = Sin(∅+26.57)

solving ∅= 7.42?
 
  • #8
Clever_name said:
1962cos(∅) +3924sin(∅)= 2452.5
∅= 7.42?
You tell me. Does that value satisfy 1962cos(∅) +3924sin(∅)= 2452.5?
But don't forget my question about which way friction is acting here.
 
  • #9
I don't understand, at the critical slope the log is not moving thus there is no kinetic friction?
 
  • #10
Clever_name said:
I don't understand, at the critical slope the log is not moving thus there is no kinetic friction?
I agree the question is a little odd here. It says to determine the max slope such that the log will not slide down when the block is released. That sure sounds like static friction to me, but in the preamble it discusses kinetic friction.
Either way, the point is that the log is in danger of slipping down, so presumably if the friction were any less it would do so. Which way, then, is the friction acting?
 
  • #11
opposite the direction of motion, so to the left.
 
  • #12
Clever_name said:
opposite the direction of motion, so to the left.
The log is in danger of slipping down the slope. Does friction act to oppose relative motion of the surfaces or to assist it?
 
  • #13
friction acts to oppose relative motion of the surfaces - therefore assuming the log moves to the right frictional force will act to the left, however if the log is in danger of slipping down the slope, then frictional force will act to the right.
 
  • #14
however in the problem there is no mention of static friction.
 
  • #15
are you inferring that my solution is incorrect haruspex?
 
  • #16
Clever_name said:
are you inferring that my solution is incorrect haruspex?
Yes. Let's set aside the kinetic v. static friction issue for the moment. You are looking for the max angle such that the log will not slip down. This means that without friction it would slip down, which is to the left. Therefore friction is acting up the slope. This makes your calculation wrong.
It would have been better if the preamble in the question had referred to static friction, not kinetic. But unless you assume they meant static there is no way to answer the question.
 
  • #17
Ok now I've assumed we are talking about static friction my final attempt is as follows:

2T+Mgcos(a)-Mgsin(a)=0

and T =1226.25

but solving the first equation i can't see how to go about this because the minus sign doesn't allow me to use that trig identity you kindly suggested earlier.

Any suggestions are appreciated.

nvm - i now see that i can use that trig identity.
 
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  • #18
haruspex don't you mean c/√(a2+b2) = cos (θ+ψ)? nvm I'm confusing myself.
 
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  • #19
Ok so this problem is still giving me some trouble. My current attempt reads as follows:

do a force balance at position c
2T + (Mc)*gcos(∅)*Us - (Mc)*gsin(∅) = 0

do a force balance at A,

T=1226.25

sub back into equation 1,

-3924sin(∅)+1962cos(∅)=-2452.2

then using a/√(a2+b2) = cos ψ

i get ψ = 153.43

then using c/√(a2+b2) = sin (θ+ψ)

i get -187.41 but this answer is nonsense :(

any tips on where I'm going wrong would be appreciated thanks!
 
  • #20
Your value for ψ is correct, but sin(ψ) = b/√(a2+b2) (i.e. positive) so you have cos(ψ)sin(∅)+sin(ψ)cos(∅)=-2452.5/√(a2+b2) = cos(ψ-∅) = cos(124 deg).
 

1. What is Newton's Second Law?

Newton's Second Law, also known as the Law of Acceleration, states that the acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force acting on it and inversely proportional to its mass. Mathematically, it can be expressed as F=ma, where F is the net force, m is the mass of the object, and a is the acceleration.

2. How is Newton's Second Law applied to real-life problems?

Newton's Second Law can be applied to real-life problems by using it to calculate the acceleration of an object when the net force and mass are known. This can be useful in various fields such as engineering, physics, and sports.

3. What is the difference between mass and weight in relation to Newton's Second Law?

Mass is a measure of the amount of matter in an object, while weight is a measure of the force of gravity acting on an object. In Newton's Second Law, mass is directly proportional to acceleration, while weight is not a factor in the equation.

4. Can Newton's Second Law be used for objects with changing mass?

Yes, Newton's Second Law can be used for objects with changing mass. However, the mass used in the equation should be the instantaneous mass at the given moment of time.

5. What are the units of measurement for Newton's Second Law?

The units of measurement for Newton's Second Law are force (N), mass (kg), and acceleration (m/s^2). However, the units can vary depending on the system of measurement used (e.g. pounds for force, grams for mass, and feet per second squared for acceleration).

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