Understanding Tension Forces in a Slowly Rising System

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To raise herself slowly at constant speed, the person must exert a downward force equal to half her weight, which is 75 kg. This is due to the tension in the rope being distributed, with two tension forces acting on either side of the system. The reasoning behind this is that the person is effectively part of the system, and holding the rope creates a balance of forces. The tension in the rope remains at W/2, as the system requires only half the weight to maintain equilibrium. Understanding this distribution of forces clarifies why the exerted force is not equal to the full weight.
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Homework Statement


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How hard must she pull downward to raise herself slowly at constant speed? The mass of the person plus the bucket is 75 kg .

The Attempt at a Solution


Hey everyone, so I've answered this question and it equals too half her weight. W=2T, but i just want to intuitively understand it better because it still confuses me. Why is the force exerted only half if its usually the whole weight required? is it because she's holding the rope? Also I've read that people say its because there's two tension forces on both sides, but wouldn't that be the case if it was just another regular force pulling down? Thank you
 
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Ask yourself if the end of the rope were attached to the bucket what the tension in each part of the rope would be. Obviously W/2. Since the girl is effectively part of the bucket her holding it does not change the situation so the tension on the end remains W/2.
 

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