What does it mean when a problem says massless pulley?

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    Massless Mean Pulley
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the meaning of the term "massless pulley" in physics problems, exploring its implications for friction and moment of inertia within a pulley system.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether a massless pulley implies that it does not bear any friction affecting the pulley system.
  • Another participant suggests that a massless pulley typically means it has no moment of inertia.
  • A third participant draws an analogy to electrical calculations, stating that assuming wires have no resistance allows for focusing on the principles without complicating the problem with additional variables.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants present different interpretations of what "massless" entails, indicating that multiple views remain without a consensus on the implications of a massless pulley.

Contextual Notes

There may be limitations in understanding the assumptions behind the term "massless," such as its relationship to friction and moment of inertia, which are not fully explored in the discussion.

Sniperman724
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What does it mean when a problem says "massless pulley?"

I am just curios about what it means, does it mean that the pulley doesn't bear any friction that works against a whole pulley system?
 
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usually it means that it has no moment of inertia.

Bob S
 


It's the same sort of concept as, when you do electrical calculations, you assume wires have no resistance, capacity or inductance. It gives you a chance to get the principle of the situation without bringing in a needless number of extra variables.
 
Last edited:


Oh, okay, thank you very much!
 

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