What Forces Affect Motion in Block Dynamics?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the acceleration of two masses, M1 and M2, in a block dynamics problem involving friction and tension. The initial calculations for kinetic friction (Fk) used a coefficient of kinetic friction (MuK) of 0.41 and the normal force (N) derived from M1's weight, but failed to account for the angle of the ramp and the vertical component of M1's weight. The correct approach involves summing the forces acting on both masses and using the total mass for acceleration calculations, leading to the correct acceleration of 4.65 m/s² when properly accounting for all forces.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Newton's Second Law (F = ma)
  • Knowledge of kinetic friction and its calculation (Fk = MuK N)
  • Ability to resolve forces into components on an inclined plane
  • Familiarity with free body diagrams (FBD) for analyzing forces
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the effects of incline angles on normal force calculations in block dynamics.
  • Learn how to construct and interpret free body diagrams for multi-body systems.
  • Explore the relationship between tension and friction in connected mass problems.
  • Review the principles of static and kinetic friction in various scenarios.
USEFUL FOR

Students studying physics, particularly those focused on mechanics and dynamics, as well as educators looking for examples of problem-solving in block dynamics scenarios.

  • #31
Well, the 231.3 value of M2 should be enough to break the M1 block free and start it sliding. I'd thought for a moment that the answer might be a=0 for the 3rd question, if M2 were not heavy enough to start the pair sliding.

I'm not sure what we could be missing. I've asked for other Homework Helpers to take a look at this thread, to see if they see something that should be corrected. I'll keep looking at it, and hopefully you will get somebody else to check out the work. Post a reply to my post here, so that your name shows up at the end of the thread instead of mine (that will help you get others to look in).
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #32
I just got word from one of the HH'ers, and we have been forgetting the vertical component of M1's weight in the force summation equation. As the ramp angle gets steeper, the normal force gets less, and the vertical component of the weight of M1 gets bigger.

Can you account for that vertical component of M1's weight in the force summation?
 
  • #33
What you're missing is component of M1's weight parallel to the incline when finding ƩF.
 
  • #34
Doc Al said:
What you're missing is component of M1's weight parallel to the incline when finding ƩF.

Thanks Doc!
 
  • #35
so.. what to do?
 
  • #36
When in doubt, re-evaluate your current situation.

List the forces operating to cause or impede motion on each block. Specify numerical values if you have them, otherwise just indicate the variable name.
 

Similar threads

Analyzing acceleration of block on a ramp connected to a pulley
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
Block tied to a fixed string on an accelerating wedge
  • · Replies 37 ·
2
Replies
37
Views
3K
Dynamics of a Block on top of a slab with friction between them
  • · Replies 33 ·
2
Replies
33
Views
2K
Block and pulley on movable incline
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Atwood's with a cylinder - Rotational Motion
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K
Box pushing another box Dynamics
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Normal force acting on a block on an accelerating wedge
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
Friction, Mass and Acceleration: Analyzing Block Motion
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Find the acceleration of the system (2 blocks sliding on a table)
  • · Replies 23 ·
Replies
23
Views
2K
Newton's law problem: Pushing 2 stacked blocks on a horizontal table
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
3K