Physics term for discussed example and calculations

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a conceptual physics problem involving two manual treadmills positioned facing each other, where two individuals push against each other to induce motion in the treadmills. Participants explore the mechanics of this scenario, seeking a proper term for the system and methods for calculating the forces involved.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes a scenario where two people push against each other to rotate two treadmills, questioning the physics term for this setup and how to calculate the forces involved.
  • Another participant notes that the two individuals will exert equal forces on each other, leading to a reaction force that results in the rotation of the treadmills.
  • A suggestion is made to create a unique name for the experiment, prompting further inquiry into the specific calculations desired.
  • One participant introduces the concept of equilibrium, suggesting that if the individuals are not in contact with anything other than the stationary belt, the treadmills would not move, indicating a need for more explicit details to provide a definitive answer.
  • Another participant proposes the term 'symmetrical physical system' as a possible descriptor for the configuration, emphasizing the importance of symmetry in simplifying the problem and finding solutions.
  • It is suggested that drawing a free body diagram could help clarify the forces acting on one of the individuals involved in the scenario.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the mechanics of the system and the appropriate terminology. There is no consensus on a specific term or method for calculation, and the discussion remains unresolved regarding the best approach to analyze the scenario.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the importance of symmetry in physical systems, but there are unresolved assumptions regarding the forces at play and the conditions under which the treadmills would move.

ahmed11
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i thought of an example of a 2 system that would give anti torques for each other but i want to know how to properly calculate it and if there is a term for that kind of example:
two manual treadmills placed infront of each other without any handles so nothing to grab on to. and for the treadmills to rotate; a person has to manually push on it but the problem is the person will have to grab something or push on to something to exert a force on the treadmill. if two treadmills infront of each other facing each other and two persons extend their hands and push together the treadmills will move. i need to know what is this experiment called or if there is a physics term for it and how to calculate assuming both machines are the same and both persons have same mass?
 
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so the two persons will apply an equal force on each other when they push their hands together but the reaction force of each will result in the rotation of the treadmill's running belt.
 
Make up your own name.
What do you want to calculate?
 
ahmed11 said:
so the two persons will apply an equal force on each other when they push their hands together but the reaction force of each will result in the rotation of the treadmill's running belt.
Looks like you are talking about Equilibrium. If they are not in contact with anything but the (initially stationary) belt then it will not move.
You would need to be a bit more explicit if you want a definitive answer.
 
A possible answer to op question is 'symmetrical physical system'

The only real point of interest about the problem configuration as described is it's symmetry .

It means that you can get a valid solution by considering only one half of the system .

Identifying symmetries can often reduce the complexity of problems considerably and make them much easier to solve .

Symmetries are described as being about a line of symmetry or across a plane of symmetry depending on whether problem is 2D or 3D . These lines or planes of symmetry are often called mirror lines or mirror planes .

The use of symmetries is not limited to simple problems in statics and dynamics . They have applications in solving many different classes of physical problem and they have further applications as a concept in pure mathematics .

In FEA work symmetries are commonly made use of to reduce the amount of computer time needed to obtain solutions and to increase accuracy of solutions .
 
Last edited:
If you want to actually solve your problem then start by trying to draw a free body diagram showing the forces acting on anyone person .
 

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