Uniform chain rising with constant velocity

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a uniform chain lying on a table, with one end being raised vertically at a constant velocity. The objective is to demonstrate that the upward force required is equal to the weight of a specific length of the chain, which includes both the length that has been uncoiled and an additional term related to the velocity.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of Newton's second law and the relationship between tension, mass, and velocity in the context of the problem. There are attempts to derive expressions for tension and mass as functions of the uncoiled length. Some participants question the correctness of their integrals and the assumptions made regarding the variables involved.

Discussion Status

Some participants have made progress in their derivations and have identified relationships between tension and mass. There is acknowledgment of the need to express tension in terms of the uncoiled length and velocity. However, there is no explicit consensus on the final form of the solution, as participants continue to explore different aspects of the problem.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the linear density of the chain is relevant to the problem, and there is discussion about the implications of varying tension throughout the chain as it is raised. The original poster and others express uncertainty about the integration process and the assumptions regarding constant versus variable tension.

Dustgil
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Homework Statement


A uniform chain lies in a heap on a table. If one end is raised vertically with uniform velocity v, show that the upward force that mus be exerted on the end of the chain is equal to the weight of a length z + (v^2/g) of the chain, where z is the length that has been uncoiled at any instant.

Homework Equations


Newton's second comes in handy here.

The Attempt at a Solution



\frac {dp} {dt} = T - Mg

dp = p(t+dt) - p(t)
= (M+dM)v + dm(v-u) - MV ,where v - u gives the absolute speed of the grounded part of the chain (= 0)
= dMV

so

\frac {dM} {dt} v = T - Mg

\frac {dM} {dz} \frac {dz} {dt}v = T - Mg
\frac {dM} {dz} v^{2}=T-Mg

separating variables and integrates gives me

-\frac {1} {g} ln(1 - \frac {Mg} {T}) = \frac {z} {v^2}

and here's where i get stuck. I tried doing a log expansion, but that didn't pull out the correct expression. Any help?
 
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Dustgil said:

Homework Statement


A uniform chain lies in a heap on a table. If one end is raised vertically with uniform velocity v, show that the upward force that mus be exerted on the end of the chain is equal to the weight of a length z + (v^2/g) of the chain, where z is the length that has been uncoiled at any instant.

Homework Equations


Newton's second comes in handy here.

The Attempt at a Solution



\frac {dp} {dt} = T - Mg

dp = p(t+dt) - p(t)
= (M+dM)v + dm(v-u) - MV ,where v - u gives the absolute speed of the grounded part of the chain (= 0)
= dMV

so

\frac {dM} {dt} v = T - Mg

\frac {dM} {dz} \frac {dz} {dt}v = T - Mg
\frac {dM} {dz} v^{2}=T-Mg
It is correct so far.
Dustgil said:
separating variables and integrates gives me

-\frac {1} {g} ln(1 - \frac {Mg} {T}) = \frac {z} {v^2}

and here's where i get stuck. I tried doing a log expansion, but that didn't pull out the correct expression. Any help?
Note that T is not constant, so you integral is wrong. You have to determine T, and you can get it from the equation in red. If the linear density of the uniform chain is λ, M=λz. What is T in terms of z?
Finding the equivalent length which has the same weight that T, you have to divide T with gλ.
 
okay, thanks I've got it now.

T = Mg + \frac {dM} {dz} v^{2}

Since

M = \lambda z
\frac {dM} {dz} = \lambda

So

T = \lambda z g + \lambda v^{2}
\frac {T} {\lambda g} = z + \frac {v^{2}} {g}
 
Good work!
 

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