Pulley Problem: Speed after falling a known distance

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a block tied to a string around a pulley, with the goal of determining the block's speed after falling a specific distance. The subject area includes dynamics and rotational motion, specifically focusing on the forces acting on the block and the pulley system.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of various equations related to forces and rotational motion, including F=mrω² and F=mg. There is uncertainty about the correctness of initial calculations and conversions, particularly regarding the radius of the pulley.

Discussion Status

Some participants have offered guidance on considering the pulley and block separately, suggesting the use of free body diagrams and equations of motion. There is an ongoing exploration of the assumptions made, particularly regarding friction and unit conversions.

Contextual Notes

Participants note potential issues with unit conversions and the assumption of a frictionless pulley, as well as the need to clarify the relationship between the block's motion and the pulley dynamics.

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A 1.2·kg block is tied to a string that is wrapped around the rim of a pulley of radius 7·cm. The block is released from rest.

Assuming the pulley is a uniform disk with a mass of 0.37·kg, find the speed of the block after it has fallen through a height of 0.43·m.

2. F=mrω^2 and possibly F=mg and v=r*omega
3. I wasn't sure how to do this problem at all. I looked around online for help and got a little bit but I'm still unsure. I used F=mg to determine the F then used that to determine ω^2. Is that correct? Obviously there would be more to the problem but this is as far as I got and I'm not even sure if it's correct.

So I got F=11.76 by multiplying 1.2kg * 9.8m/s^2 which I then put in the equation for 11.76=(.37kg)(.07m)w^2 and then got 21.3 for omega. This seems high and is probably due to the conversion from CM to M which I'm unsure is correct. Assuming it is I moved on and put that omega value 21.3 into v=wr for v=21.3*.07 and got 1.49 which is incorrect.
 
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That depends on the friction of the pulley.
 
adjacent said:
That depends on the friction of the pulley.

I believe it's assumed frictionless because friction isn't mentioned
 
Conversion from meters to cm is wrong.(thats all I know) 7/1000 is 0.007m
 
adjacent said:
Conversion from meters to cm is wrong.(thats all I know) 7/1000 is 0.007m

Isn't a centimeter 1/100th of meter?
 
Ah.Sorry,I was mistaken.You are right.
 
It seems you didn't read this part(find the speed of the block after it has fallen through a height of 0.43·m. Hope it helps.
 
You need to consider the pulley and the mass separately. What they have in common are the tension in the string and the acceleration. Draw a FBD for each and write out the equations (ƩF=ma etc.)
 

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