Pulleys with Torque: Free Body Diagram Analysis

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around analyzing a system of pulleys with mass, focusing on free body diagrams, torque, and the relationships between tension and acceleration in the context of equilibrium. Participants explore the implications of Newton's laws and the effects of mass on the system's behavior.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the relationships between tensions in the system, the role of mass in the pulleys, and the setup of torque equations. There are attempts to clarify the direction of forces and torques, as well as the connection between angular and linear accelerations.

Discussion Status

There is ongoing exploration of the equations governing the system, with some participants expressing confusion about the setup and assumptions. Guidance has been offered regarding the consistency of positive directions for forces and torques, and the need to relate different equations correctly.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of including the mass of the pulleys in their calculations, as well as the potential for confusion arising from the assumptions made about the system's behavior. There is also mention of a past exam context, which may influence the participants' approach to the problem.

  • #31
rashida564 said:
a1=2a2
T1-m1g=m1a1=2m1a2
T2+T3-(M+m2)g=m2a2
Those equations are not consistent in regard to which ways are positive for the accelerations.
 
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  • #32
I think I can see it now, is it because a1=-2a2
 
  • #33
rashida564 said:
I think I can see it now, is it because a1=-2a2
Yes.
 
  • #34
I think now I got it. By putting one of the linear equation as negative. namely : m1g-T1=2m1a2.
For here I added two equation T1-T2+(m1g-T1)=Ma2+m1a1
or m1g-T2=Ma2+2m1a2
For this I can find T2=m1g-Ma2-2m1a2
then I can also find T3, 2T2-2T3=Ma2
Or T3= (2T2-Ma2)/2
which is cool thing since T2 is expressed purely in terms of m, M,a and g.
Using the last equation T2+T3-(M+m2)g=m2a2
And substitute value of T2 and T3. Hopping I didn't make any mistake I will get that
a2=1/m2(((3m1-5m1a2)/2) + (M+m2)g )
And I can also find a1. which is just twice a2
 
  • #35
rashida564 said:
a2=1/m2(((3m1-5m1a2)/2) + (M+m2)g )
This is indecipherable. There appears to be a term (3m1-5m1a2), which makes no sense. You can't subtract a force from an acceleration.
Please use parentheses as appropriate and either use LaTeX or use subscripts (use the ...▼ pulldown) and multiply out as necessary to avoid the divisions.
Also, for it to be an expression for a2 you should arrange that a2 does not occur on both sides of the equation.
 

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