Understanding Forces in a Bosun Chair System

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the forces involved in a bosun chair system, specifically analyzing the tension in the rope and the forces acting on a person in the chair. In scenario (a), where the individual pulls themselves up, the force required to maintain constant speed is represented by the equation T + T = mg, indicating two tensions acting upward. In scenario (b), where another person holds the rope, the force needed is T = mg, with only one tension acting upward. Additionally, the force exerted by the ceiling varies based on these scenarios, necessitating a free body diagram for clarity.

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A man is on a bosun chair attached to a frictionless massless pulley and is holding onto the other end of a rope. (at ground level)

a. What is the force he must pull himself up at if he is to move at a constant speed?
Is the set up T + T = mg?

b. If instead the rope is held by someone else, what is the force needed to pull him up at a constant speed?

And is this set up as T = mg?

c. What is the force exerted by the ceiling on the system for both cases?

This one I am lost on since I need to do a free body diagram for each case.

I don't understand why there is such a difference, in essence.
 
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a and b, you are correct. In a, there are "two tensions" pulling up on the guy in the sling. In b, there is only one tension pulling on the guy.

c:

how many tensions are pulling down on the pulley?
 
Draw a free body diagram from the pulley. That should help.
 

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