Tension Equal in Pulley System w/ 2 Strings

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a pulley system involving two strings with different masses attached (3kg and 4kg). Participants are exploring the concept of tension in the strings and questioning the conditions under which tension may vary.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are questioning the assumption that tension is equal in both strings and discussing scenarios where this might not hold true, such as when multiple pulleys are involved. They are also considering the implications of having a single string across multiple pulleys.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active with participants exploring different interpretations of tension in pulley systems. Some guidance has been offered regarding the nature of tension in strings, but there is no explicit consensus on the conditions under which tension may differ.

Contextual Notes

Participants are considering the implications of using the same string across multiple pulleys and how this affects tension, indicating a need for clarity on the definitions and assumptions related to tension forces.

fk378
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This is a general question...

Given a pulley system that consists of one pulley and 2 strings--each with a mass hanging from it. One mass is 3kg, the other is 4kg. In class we concluded that the tension on each string was equal--why?
 
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Arent they attached to the same string?

Can you have two different tension forces on one string?
(Hint)
 
Oh I see. What if you had one string along 2 pulleys? (So then the string is going upwards for 2 parts of the string, and downwards for 1 part of the string). Then is the tension along the whole string just T, or for 2 parts it is T, and the other part it is -T?
 
AS long as the same string is being used the tension force is the same
 

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