Problem related to Newton's Laws

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem related to Newton's Laws, specifically involving two masses, m1 and m2, with considerations of tension and acceleration in a system without friction.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the implications of mass and weight on the movement of the objects, questioning whether the system remains in equilibrium or moves. There are attempts to derive equations for tension and acceleration based on the forces acting on each mass.

Discussion Status

The discussion includes various attempts to calculate acceleration and tension, with some participants seeking validation of their steps. There is an acknowledgment of the gravitational constant used in calculations, but no explicit consensus on the correctness of the approaches has been reached.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the absence of friction and the differing orientations of the masses, which may influence their interpretations of the problem. There is also a mention of specific values for mass and gravitational acceleration that are being used in the calculations.

RuthlessTB
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Homework Statement


34t2ycw.jpg



Homework Equations


ƩF=0
ƩF= m a


The Attempt at a Solution


Since there is no friction do I assume the objects will move?
or it will remain equilibrium since m1 is 120N which is way higher than 50N.
 
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RuthlessTB said:
Since there is no friction do I assume the objects will move?
or it will remain equilibrium since m1 is 120N which is way higher than 50N.
Why would the weight of m1 matter? (The mass of m1 matters though.)

Note that m1 moves horizontally while m2 moves vertically.
 
m1:
T - 0 = m1 a

m2:
m2g - T = m2 a

I need now to calculate acceleration first in order to get the value of the tension

T = m1 a
-T + m2g = m2 a

[m2g = a(m1+m2)]
50 = a(12+5)
a= 50/17 = 2.94 m/s^2

Now to calculate the tension
T= m1 a
T= 12 (2.94) = 35.3 N

My question is, are the steps in red color right?
 
RuthlessTB said:
m1:
T - 0 = m1 a

m2:
m2g - T = m2 a

I need now to calculate acceleration first in order to get the value of the tension

T = m1 a
-T + m2g = m2 a

[m2g = a(m1+m2)]
50 = a(12+5)
a= 50/17 = 2.94 m/s^2

Now to calculate the tension
T= m1 a
T= 12 (2.94) = 35.3 N

My question is, are the steps in red color right?
Yes, using a value of g = 10 m/s^2.
 

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