Tension and Weight Comparison in Hanging Object System

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on a physics problem involving a system of two blocks connected by a rope over a frictionless pulley. The mass of the block on the horizontal surface is 3.70 kg, and the tension in the rope is calculated to be 18.9 N. The acceleration of the blocks is determined to be 5.11 m/s², and the mass of the hanging block is found to be 4.03 kg. The tension is compared to the weight of the hanging block, which is calculated using the formula w = mg, confirming the relationship between tension and weight in this system.

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  • Familiarity with gravitational force calculations (w=mg)
  • Basic algebra for solving equations
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Homework Statement



A light rope is attached to a block with mass 3.70kg that rests on a frictionless, horizontal surface. The horizontal rope passes over a frictionless, massless pulley, and a block with mass m is suspended from the other end. When the blocks are released, the tension in the rope is 18.9N.

What is the acceleration of either block?
Find the mass m of the hanging block.
How does the tension compare to the weight of the hanging block?


Homework Equations



F=ma
w=ma

The Attempt at a Solution



After reading the textbook (University Physics), I was able to determine that in a similar problem, that the had these two equations.

T =m1a
m2g -T = m2a

They eliminated T and getting, m2g=m1a+m2a = (m1+m2)a.

In this problem the tension is given.

So.

18.9 = 3.7 (a)
m2(9.8) - 18.9 = m2(a)

we want a, so we need to solve for it.

Thus far we got that
18.9/3.7 = a = 5.11.now we want mass, we plug it in into the second equation.
9.8m_2 - 18.9 = 5.11m_2
-18.9 = -4.69m_2
m_2 = 4.03 kg.

Is this how on should solve it. I already drew the free body diagram in which for the 3.70kg object there are three forces, normal and weight which are equally the same and tension to the right which is a bigger force. Hence it is moving the right.

For the object hanging there is smaller tension force, and larger weight force, this is because the object on the horizontal is moving to the right, and thus means that there must be enough weight hanging for it to move.

but now, if all is right above (including logic), then how do I calculate the following..

How does the tension compare to the weight of the hanging block? :(
 
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everything looks right. just calculate the weight of the hanging block... you have the mass already... where are you getting stuck?
 
got it, I figured just checking to see if all my previous work was correct. :)thank you learningphysics.
 

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