Tension and Pulleys theory question

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DanielleG
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Homework Statement



  1. 17. Give the correct tension, T, in the marked rope for each situation. The rope is held so the system is stationary. All ropes and pulleys are massless and frictionless.

    A) T = W B) T = W/2 C) T = W/3 D) T = 2W E) T = 3W/2
    F) T = 2W/3 G) T = W/7 H) T = W/5 I) T = 2W/7 J) T = 2W/5

    1)
    Diagram of a pulley system: a fixed pulley hangs from a ceiling, a rope runs down from it and is labelled T, and a second pulley hangs below the ceiling with a block labelled W attached to its axle, with the rope going over the second pulley.
    2)
    Diagram of a stationary pulley system: a block labelled W hangs from a central pulley, with two ropes at 30 degrees to the horizontal running over outer pulleys fixed to a ceiling, and the marked rope T hangs vertically from the left pulley.

    3)
    Pulley system diagram: three pulleys hang from a ceiling, with the lowest small pulley marked T pulling down on a rope, and a block labelled 2W at the bottom.
    4)
    Pulley system diagram: a fixed top pulley, a rope from its left side down to a block labelled W, and a lower movable pulley hanging from the right rope with a downward arrow labelled T.

Homework Equations



No equations, mostly just theory.

The Attempt at a Solution



I've been trying to look at the various forces on each pulley compared to the next to solve this problem, as well as draw free body diagrams, but I don't feel like I'm getting anywhere, and I'm unsure of how the force will transfer from one pulley to the next, as all of the pulleys are connected. Any guidance on how to better understand the way the force changes from one pulley to the next? Thanks in advance.
 
DanielleG said:

Homework Statement



  1. 17. Give the correct tension, T, in the marked rope for each situation. The rope is held so the system is stationary. All ropes and pulleys are massless and frictionless.

    A) T = W B) T = W/2 C) T = W/3 D) T = 2W E) T = 3W/2
    F) T = 2W/3 G) T = W/7 H) T = W/5 I) T = 2W/7 J) T = 2W/5

    1)
    Diagram of two pulleys hanging from a ceiling: a fixed pulley on the left with a downward tension arrow labelled T, and a movable pulley on the right supporting a box labelled W.
    2)
    Free-body style diagram of a pulley system: three pulleys hang from a ceiling with diagonal hatching, a central larger pulley supports a rectangular load labeled W by two cords, and the two outer pulleys each show a 30° angle between the cord and the horizontal, with a downward arrow labeled T on the left cord.

    3)
    Diagram of a pulley system: three pulleys hang from a ceiling bar with hatched support, and a rectangular block labeled 2W sits at the bottom, with a small pulley and a downward arrow labeled T at the left.
    4)
    Pulley system diagram: a large pulley hangs from a ceiling bar, with a rope running down to a block labeled W, and two smaller pulleys below it with a tension arrow labeled T pointing down.

Homework Equations



No equations, mostly just theory.

The Attempt at a Solution



I've been trying to look at the various forces on each pulley compared to the next to solve this problem, as well as draw free body diagrams, but I don't feel like I'm getting anywhere, and I'm unsure of how the force will transfer from one pulley to the next, as all of the pulleys are connected. Any guidance on how to better understand the way the force changes from one pulley to the next? Thanks in advance.
Since each pulley is massless and frictionless, then the tension in one line must be equal to the tension in the other line.

Take 1) above. If you make a FBD of the weight W and the sheave to which it is attached, what must the tension be in the two lines supporting that sheave?
 
If you are not familiar with the simple machine called "block and tackle", I would suggest a Google search on the term.
The rule of thumb for this device is that the mechanical advantage is equal to the number of ropes (or chains) supporting
the bottom pulley. This should help you getting starting thinking on this type of problem.
The following Web Site shows some interesting examples: http://www.lhup.edu/~dsimanek/TTT-fool/fool.htm

Photo of a physics demonstration apparatus on a stand: a fixed pulley at the top, a movable pulley with a hook, a brass weight hanging on one string, and a hook carrying a stack of slotted weights on the other end.
Diagram of a block and tackle pulley system: an orange fixed pulley hangs from a ceiling, a purple movable pulley hangs from the rope, a yellow pulley is attached to a load labelled L, and a downward force arrow labelled F pulls the free rope end.

Fig. 2. Classic fool's tackle.
 
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