# Some equation

1. Aug 18, 2004

### jomuk

ok so I've got this equation

M1 = T1^2
M2 __T2^2
the _s are only for spacing purposes
can anyone tell me what it is for?

I think the M is mass and the T is tension but I really have no idea

2. Aug 19, 2004

### HallsofIvy

Staff Emeritus
One can make up equations for anything- and different applications might give the same equation. I can't imagine starting from an equation and the asking what the application is!

I think the best one can say here is that "mass is proportional to the square of the tension" (or "tension is proportional to the square root of the mass).

3. Aug 19, 2004

### ZapperZ

Staff Emeritus
Hallsofivy was being too polite. I would criticize you for not, at the very least, put the equation you found in some context, i.e. WHERE did you find this expression? Under what topic/chapter/subject/supermarket tabloid/etc. was it written? It can't just appear out of nowhere.

Having said that, I will put one possible, consistent guess: T is the period of oscillation of a spring-mass system, and M is the mass. This is because the period of that system is given by

$$T = 2\pi \sqrt{\frac{M}{k}}$$

Zz.

4. Aug 19, 2004

### expscv

lol for some application in calualte the tension needed in each wire/rope for that particular mass?

5. Aug 19, 2004

are these two equations or one equation written on two spaces?
do you mean"
$$M_1 = {T_1}^2 {M_2}{T_2}^2$$

6. Aug 19, 2004

### Staff: Mentor

I presume he meant it as a statement of proportionality:
$$\frac{M_1}{M_2} = \frac{T_1^2}{T_2^2}$$

The only thing that rings a bell is what ZapperZ suggested.

7. Aug 19, 2004

### pervect

Staff Emeritus
T could be kinetic energy, but there's really not enough data to know.

8. Aug 20, 2004

### ArmoSkater87

I was thinking it might be concentration and temperature...but i really dont think it is after trying to derive it using gas laws.

9. Aug 20, 2004

### HallsofIvy

Staff Emeritus
WHAT!! Someone is accusing me of being polite!!!

10. Aug 20, 2004

### ZapperZ

Staff Emeritus
Damn right I did! And don't let me catch you doing that again!!

:)

Zz.

11. Aug 20, 2004

### Staff: Mentor

Think I should give Halls a warning?

12. Aug 21, 2004

### zynko

looks like an expression of inversed perportions