Solving Frictionless Pulley System: Acceleration & Tension Force

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a frictionless pulley system with two masses, where the goal is to determine the acceleration and tension force. The original poster mentions a coefficient of friction (mu = 0.1), which raises questions about its relevance in a frictionless context.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss setting up equations of motion for each mass in the system, questioning the origin of certain terms like Fnet = Ft. There is confusion regarding the coefficient of friction and its application in this scenario.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with some participants attempting to clarify the setup of the problem and the relevance of the coefficient of friction. There is acknowledgment of confusion regarding the problem statement, but no consensus has been reached.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the problem is framed within a grade 11 physics context, and there is a misunderstanding about the application of friction in a frictionless system.

slobodan48
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Homework Statement



Two masses are places in a frictionless pulley system. Solve for the acceleration and tension force. )its a pullz question and the mu=0.1

Homework Equations


So i know that Fg=MG
Fnet=ma
Ff=MFn
How can i solve this question? how come Fnet=Ft came out of nowhere?


The Attempt at a Solution

 
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This seems to be an Atwood machine problem, although I don't understand the last part of the problem statement.

You will want to set up the equations of motion for each mass. For mass m(1):

F1 = m(1)*a = T -m(1)*g = 0

For m(2):

F2 = m(2)*a = m(2)*g - T = 0

To solve for tension, first solve the two equations for acceleration (a) and then set them equal to each other. Then solve for T. For acceleration, solve the equation for T and set them equal to each other. Then solve for a.
 
well the mu is 0.1 and i don't know were did you get the m and t-m
 
slobodan48 said:
well the mu is 0.1 and i don't know were did you get the m and t-m

Here's where I'm getting confused. What is mu?
 
well it looks like a U,its the coefficient of friction, its grade 11 physics
 
slobodan48 said:
well it looks like a U,its the coefficient of friction, its grade 11 physics

But you said the system was frictionless.
 
shoot, my bad i was looking at the wrong question. sorry
 

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