Vector that describes the power

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    Power Vector
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving a mass suspended by ropes and the forces acting on it. Participants explore the equilibrium conditions and the relationship between tension in the ropes and gravitational force, with a focus on vector representation and calculations related to these forces.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether "power" was intended instead of "force" in the original problem statement.
  • Equilibrium conditions are introduced, stating that the sum of the forces along each axis must equal zero.
  • Participants discuss the formulation of equations for the forces in the x, y, and z directions.
  • There is a suggestion that the tension forces should be divided by the length of their direction vectors.
  • One participant proposes that the directional vector for the tension in the ropes is derived from the coordinates of the attachment points relative to the mass.
  • Another participant clarifies that the directional vector for one of the ropes is indeed (1, 1, 1), while questioning if the gravitational force's direction implies a different vector.
  • Participants confirm the correctness of a sketch depicting the forces acting on the mass.
  • There is a discussion about the correct formulation of the tension forces in relation to their directional vectors.
  • One participant suggests a specific formulation of the equilibrium equation, including gravitational force, and seeks confirmation on its correctness.
  • Another participant provides feedback on the formulation, suggesting a more precise way to express the tension forces.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the need to apply equilibrium conditions and the formulation of forces, but there are differing views on the correct representation of the tension forces and the directional vectors involved. The discussion remains unresolved regarding some aspects of the formulation and interpretation of the problem.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the correct representation of the forces and the implications of the directional vectors. There are also unresolved questions about the assumptions made in the calculations and the definitions of the vectors used.

mathmari
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Hello! :o

A mass of 1 kilogram ($1$ kg) that lies at $(0,0,0)$ is hanging from ropes tied at the points $(1,1,1)$ and $(-1,-1,1)$. If the gravitational force has the direction of the vector $\overrightarrow{-k}$ which is the vector that describes the power (voltage) along each of the ropes?

Could you give me some hints?? (Wondering)
 
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mathmari said:
Hello! :o

A mass of 1 kilogram ($1$ kg) that lies at $(0,0,0)$ is hanging from ropes tied at the points $(1,1,1)$ and $(-1,-1,1)$. If the gravitational force has the direction of the vector $\overrightarrow{-k}$ which is the vector that describes the power (voltage) along each of the ropes?

Could you give me some hints?? (Wondering)

Hey! :)

Power or voltage seem to be unrelated.
Perhaps force was intended? (Wondering)

In that case we have the equilibrium conditions that the sum of the force components along each axis must be zero. (Wasntme)
 
I like Serena said:
Perhaps force was intended? (Wondering)

Yes... (Nod)
I like Serena said:
In that case we have the equilibrium conditions that the sum of the force components along each axis must be zero. (Wasntme)

So, we have too use the following: $$\sum F_i=0 \Rightarrow F_1+F_2+F_3=0$$ right??

But how?? (Wondering)
 
mathmari said:
So, we have too use the following: $$\sum F_i=0 \Rightarrow F_1+F_2+F_3=0$$ right??

But how?? (Wondering)

That should be:
$$\sum F_x = 0$$
$$\sum F_y = 0$$
$$\sum F_z = 0$$
(Nerd)

Suppose you have some unknown tensional force $F_1$ respectively $F_2$ in the ropes, combined with the known gravitational force $mg$ that points downwards.
How would these equations looks? (Thinking)
 
I like Serena said:
That should be:
$$\sum F_x = 0$$
$$\sum F_y = 0$$
$$\sum F_z = 0$$
(Nerd)

Suppose you have some unknown tensional force $F_1$ respectively $F_2$ in the ropes, combined with the known gravitational force $mg$ that points downwards.
How would these equations looks? (Thinking)

Is it as followed??

$$F_{1x}+F_{2x}=0 \\ F_{1y}+F_{2y}=0 \\ F_{1z}+F_{2z}-mg=0$$

(Wondering)
 
mathmari said:
Is it as followed??

$$F_{1x}+F_{2x}=0 \\ F_{1y}+F_{2y}=0$$

(Wondering)

Yep. (Nod)

$$F_{1z}+F_{2z}-mg=0$$

Not quite.
E.g. $F_{1z}$ should be divided by the length of its direction vector. (Worried)
 
I like Serena said:
E.g. $F_{1z}$ should be divided by the length of its direction vector. (Worried)

Why?? (Wondering)
 
mathmari said:
Why?? (Wondering)

If the tensional force in a rope is $F$ and the directional vector is $(1,1,1)$, then the force vector is $(\frac F{\sqrt 3}, \frac F{\sqrt 3}, \frac F{\sqrt 3})$. (Wasntme)
 
I like Serena said:
If the tensional force in a rope is $F$ and the directional vector is $(1,1,1)$, then the force vector is $(\frac F{\sqrt 3}, \frac F{\sqrt 3}, \frac F{\sqrt 3})$. (Wasntme)

Why is the directional vector $(1, 1, 1)$ ?? (Wondering)

The gravitational force has the direction of the vector $-\overrightarrow{k}$.

Does this mean that the directional vector is $(1,1, -1)$ ?? (Wondering)
 
  • #10
mathmari said:
Why is the directional vector $(1, 1, 1)$ ?? (Wondering)

Because one of the ropes is attached at (1,1,1) while it is connected to the mass at (0,0,0).
That means that the directional vector is (1,1,1) - (0,0,0) = (1,1,1). (Nerd)

The gravitational force has the direction of the vector $-\overrightarrow{k}$.

Does this mean that the directional vector is $(1,1, -1)$ ?? (Wondering)

The down vector $-\overrightarrow{k}$ is equal to $(0,0,-1)$. (Wasntme)
 
  • #11
I tried to make a sketch of the problem...

View attachment 4040

Is this correct?? (Wondering)

Have I drawn the forces $F_1, F_2$, that we are asked to find, correct??
 

Attachments

  • Forces.png
    Forces.png
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  • #12
mathmari said:
I tried to make a sketch of the problem...

Is this correct?? (Wondering)

Have I drawn the forces $F_1, F_2$, that we are asked to find, correct??

Yep. Looks good! ;)
 
  • #13
I like Serena said:
Yep. Looks good! ;)

Can we say that since the vector of the force $F_1$ is on the vector $(1, 1, 1)$, it is of the form $F_1(\lambda)=\lambda (1, 1, 1)$ and since the vector of the force $F_2$ is on the vector $(-1, -1, 1)$, it is of the form $F_2(\mu)=\mu (1, 1, 1)$ ?? (Wondering)
 
  • #14
mathmari said:
Can we say that since the vector of the force $F_1$ is on the vector $(1, 1, 1)$, it is of the form $F_1(\lambda)=\lambda (1, 1, 1)$ and since the vector of the force $F_2$ is on the vector $(-1, -1, 1)$, it is of the form $F_2(\mu)=\mu (1, 1, 1)$ ?? (Wondering)

Yes to the first. (Nod)
No go the second. (Shake) (Nerd)
 
  • #15
Oh... It should be:

Since the vector of the force $F_1$ is on the vector $(1, 1, 1)$, it is of the form $F_1(\lambda)=\lambda (1, 1, 1)$ and since the vector of the force $F_2$ is on the vector $(-1, -1, 1)$, it is of the form $F_2(\mu)=\mu (-1, -1, 1)$

right?? (Wondering)
 
  • #16
mathmari said:
Oh... It should be:

Since the vector of the force $F_1$ is on the vector $(1, 1, 1)$, it is of the form $F_1(\lambda)=\lambda (1, 1, 1)$ and since the vector of the force $F_2$ is on the vector $(-1, -1, 1)$, it is of the form $F_2(\mu)=\mu (-1, -1, 1)$

right?? (Wondering)

Right! (Happy)
 
  • #17
Is the way I formulated it correct?? Or could I improve something?? (Wondering)

Then we have that $$F_1+F_2+W=0$$ by the equilibrium condition, where $W=9.8 (0, 0, -1)$, right?? (Wondering)

$$\lambda (1, 1, 1)+\mu(-1, -1, 1)+(0, 0, -9.8)=(0, 0, 0) \\ \Rightarrow \lambda-\mu=0 , \ \lambda-\mu=0 , \ \lambda+\mu=9.8 \\ \Rightarrow \lambda=\mu=4.9$$

Is this correct?? (Wondering)
 
  • #18
mathmari said:
Is the way I formulated it correct?? Or could I improve something?? (Wondering)

I'd write $F_1=λ(1,1,1)$ instead of $F_1(λ)=λ(1,1,1)$.
That's because $F_1$ is not a function of $λ$. It's a fixed value that has a relationship to the $λ$ that you've just introduced. (Nerd)
Then we have that $$F_1+F_2+W=0$$ by the equilibrium condition, where $W=9.8 (0, 0, -1)$, right?? (Wondering)

$$\lambda (1, 1, 1)+\mu(-1, -1, 1)+(0, 0, -9.8)=(0, 0, 0) \\ \Rightarrow \lambda-\mu=0 , \ \lambda-\mu=0 , \ \lambda+\mu=9.8 \\ \Rightarrow \lambda=\mu=4.9$$

Is this correct?? (Wondering)

Yup! (Nod)
 
  • #19
Ok... Thank you! (flower)
 

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