Statics Questions - Equilibrium in a pulley system

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a statics problem involving a pulley system where the goal is to find the value of W necessary to maintain equilibrium. The context includes analyzing forces and angles in a right triangle formed by the system's components.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to use trigonometric relationships to determine the angle at the pulley and expresses uncertainty about how to proceed to find W. Some participants suggest analyzing the forces at the connection point of the ropes to the mass and applying equilibrium conditions.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different aspects of the problem. Guidance has been offered regarding the analysis of forces, but there is no explicit consensus on the next steps or the correct approach to finding W.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of the need to apply equilibrium equations, but the original poster expresses confusion about the calculations and expected results, indicating potential gaps in information or understanding of the problem setup.

Wilson123
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Homework Statement


Find the value of W to maintain equilibrium
upload_2015-12-7_22-12-13.png


Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


I have split the system into two, creating a triangle. From this I have a right angle triangle with an adjacent of 2m, opposite of 0.6m and an hypotenuse of 2.088m (calculated through pythag). I have then worked out the angle at the pulley as 16.7 degrees. However I do not know how to now find W, I think it may have something to do with the equation 40kg x g x cos(90-16.7) + 40kg x g x sin(90-16.7), but this isn't given me the kind of answer I expected so I'm not sure if it's right.
upload_2015-12-7_22-25-10.png


Any help on the next step would be much appreciated!
 
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How about analyzing the forces acting at the point where the ropes connect to the 80 kg mass. Apply the conditions for equilibrium.
 
Doc Al said:
How about analyzing the forces acting at the point where the ropes connect to the 80 kg mass. Apply the conditions for equilibrium.
Am I right in thinking the forces are acting like this?
upload_2015-12-8_23-55-4.png
 
Wilson123 said:
Am I right in thinking the forces are acting like this?
Yes, that's exactly right. And if you set up the equilibrium equations, you can solve for T.
 

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