Understanding Tension in a Block and Tackle System

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In a block and tackle system, the boy lifting himself exerts force on the rope, and the total weight of the boy and beam is 120 lb. The confusion arises regarding the number of tensions acting on the system, with one participant initially identifying four tensions but later acknowledging a fifth tension from the boy's pull. The discussion emphasizes that all five tensions contribute to the force acting on the boy and beam system. Understanding the system as a whole clarifies the distribution of forces and tensions involved. The explanation provided resolves the initial misunderstanding about the tensions in the setup.
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Homework Statement



The boy is lifting himself using the block and tackle shown. If the weight of the block and tackle is negligible, and the combined weight of the boy and the beam he is sitting on is 120 lb, what force does he have to exert on the rope to raise himself at a constant rate? (Neglect the deviation of the ropes from the vertical.)

I drew a FBD for the bottom of the block with the weight going down and 4 tensions pulling up, each with a force of 30lb, but the book has 5 tensions. Which one is correct?

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Do you dispute that the rope the boy is holding is also at tension T? Do you dispute that all five tensions act on the boy+beam system?
It might be clearer to you if you consider the lower pulley block and the boy+beam separately. What is the tension in the rope connecting them?
 
haruspex said:
Do you dispute that the rope the boy is holding is also at tension T? Do you dispute that all five tensions act on the boy+beam system?
It might be clearer to you if you consider the lower pulley block and the boy+beam separately. What is the tension in the rope connecting them?

oh, so the tension occurs 5 times b/c 4 times at the lower block, but then also from the boy like the picture because the whole thing is one system, and the block is only part of it.

thanks for the explanation to clear it up!
 
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