Pulley problem, find total mass where ther is no acceleration

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a pulley problem where participants are tasked with finding the total mass in a system that is not accelerating. The context includes the analysis of forces acting on the masses involved and the role of tension in the system.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants express uncertainty about how to begin solving the problem, with one noting the equations related to force and tension. Questions arise regarding the assumption of zero acceleration and the implications for tension in the system. There is also a query about the negligible nature of the pulleys.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants seeking clarification on their reasoning and the assumptions made in the problem setup. Some have provided equations and attempted to manipulate them, but there is no clear consensus or resolution yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the assumption that the pulleys are negligible, which may influence their calculations and interpretations of the forces involved.

vande060
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Homework Statement



you need to see the picture for this one

http://s861.photobucket.com/albums/ab174/alkaline262/?action=view&current=prob13.jpg

Homework Equations



f=ma

The Attempt at a Solution



i don't really know where to start on this one.

i have the equations for force

2T - m2g = -m2a2

N - m1g = 0

T = m1a1

i think i should set a to zero

2T = m2g
T=0

that step doesn't make sense to me, because how can the tension = 0 ?
 
Last edited:
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are the pulleys negligible?
 
Liquidxlax said:
are the pulleys negligible?

yes they are
 
bump. i still don't understand this problem when i solve for t is get t = -2g/(1/m1 - 4/m2)

is that right? what can i do with it ?
 

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