Table and frictionless pulleys

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem involving three blocks connected by cords over frictionless pulleys, with a focus on determining the tension in the cord. The masses of the blocks are specified, and the setup is described as involving a frictionless table.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss free body diagrams for the blocks and the equations of motion. There are questions about the treatment of forces acting on block A and block B, particularly regarding the inclusion of weight in the calculations.

Discussion Status

Some participants have proposed equations based on the forces acting on the blocks, while others are questioning the assumptions made about the forces, particularly the role of weight in the analysis. There is an ongoing exploration of the relationships between the tensions in the cords and the accelerations of the blocks.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating the implications of the problem setup, including the assumption of a frictionless environment and the effects of gravity on the blocks. There is an emphasis on understanding the dynamics without reaching a definitive solution.

apiwowar
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Figure 5-58 shows three blocks attached by cords that loop over frictionless pulleys. Block B lies on a frictionless table; the masses are mA = 4.40 kg, mB = 9.80 kg, and mC = 12.0 kg. When the blocks are released, what is the tension in the cord at the right?

all i could do on this one is make the two outside free body diagrams

for block a i got T - 43.1 = 4.40a

and for block c i got T-118 = 12.0a

how would i get the net force for block b since the net force is just the two tensions?
 
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Tension in the two segments of the rope are not the same.
All the masses have the same acceleration.

For block A ...> T2 = mA*a...(1)
For block B...> T1 - T2 = mB*a...(2)
For block C...> mC*g - T1 = mC*a...(3)
Solve these equations and find T1 and T2.
 
why isn't the weight taken into account for block a?
and
for block b why isn't it the tension minus the weight?
 
apiwowar said:
why isn't the weight taken into account for block a?
and
for block b why isn't it the tension minus the weight?


for block b why isn't it the tension minus the weight?


Forces acting on block b are T1 and T2 only.
 

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