Tension in rope (particles in Equilibrium)

[SoulInNeed]

1. OK, Two blocks are hanging from a ceiling, with a rope between them. The top block is 72 N, while the bottom block is 150 N. What is the tension in the rope between them?

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

My confusion is that I'm not sure if we're supposed to include the top block in this situation. Thus far, I know how to calculate the bottom tension in a rope (only include the bottom block), and the top tension in a rope (include both), but just simply saying tension gets me a little confused. If this sounds dumb, then please excuse me, I decided to read ahead of the class, so I'm on my own here.

 

[PhanthomJay]

1. OK, Two blocks are hanging from a ceiling, with a rope between them. The top block is 72 N, while the bottom block is 150 N. What is the tension in the rope between them?

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

My confusion is that I'm not sure if we're supposed to include the top block in this situation. Thus far, I know how to calculate the bottom tension in a rope (only include the bottom block), and the top tension in a rope (include both), but just simply saying tension gets me a little confused. If this sounds dumb, then please excuse me, I decided to read ahead of the class, so I'm on my own here.

'What is the tension in the rope between them', means what is the tension on the rope connected directly between the top and bottom blocks? The tension in the upper rope will be different. You have the right idea i think: draw a Free Body Diagram of the lower block, and determine that lower rope tension using Newton's first law.

 

[SoulInNeed]

'What is the tension in the rope between them', means what is the tension on the rope connected directly between the top and bottom blocks? The tension in the upper rope will be different. You have the right idea i think: draw a Free Body Diagram of the lower block, and determine that lower rope tension using Newton's first law.

Yeah.

 

[scienceroks]

how do you measure tension on a catapult because i am doing a science project and i don't know how