What is the acceleration of the block up the ramp?

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a large block being dragged up a ramp by a smaller block falling due to gravity over a pulley. The large block has a mass of 1400kg, while the smaller block has a mass of 530kg. The ramp is inclined at an angle of 15 degrees, and the coefficient of kinetic friction between the large block and the ramp is 0.13. The main question is to determine the acceleration of the large block up the ramp.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the forces acting on the large block, including gravitational forces and friction. There are attempts to set up equations based on Newton's second law, but confusion arises regarding the signs and the net force calculations. Some participants express uncertainty about the expected direction of acceleration.

Discussion Status

There is ongoing exploration of the forces involved, with some participants questioning the treatment of friction and the net force calculations. A few participants have indicated they are not arriving at the expected positive acceleration, leading to further inquiry into their reasoning and setup.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the absence of specified losses due to friction in the pulley system, which may affect their calculations. There is also mention of a diagram that may clarify the forces at play.

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Homework Statement



A large block is being dragged up a ramp by a block falling due to gravity over a pulley. The large block has a mass of 1400kg and the smaller block suspended has a mass of 530kg. The coefficient of kinetic friction between the large block and the ramp is 0.13. The ramp is at an angle of 15degrees
what is the acceleration of the block up the ramp?

Homework Equations


F=ma
Ff=ukN

The Attempt at a Solution


I know there are four forces actnig on the block, and these are:
in the negative x direction there is the mass of the big block * gravity *sin15 + Ff (m*g*sin15 + 0.13*m*g*cos15)
and in the positive x direction there is the smaller block pulling it down via gravity so m*g*sin15 (m in this case is the smaller block)
a=fnet/m where fnet= mlittle*g*sin15 -(mbig*g*sin15 + 0.13*mbig*g*cos15)
The problem is it ends up being negative when I go to do, and I'm sure the block is mean to be accelerating up the ramp.
a=Fnet/m
 
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PTPM93 said:

Homework Statement



A large block is being dragged up a ramp by a block falling due to gravity over a pulley. The large block has a mass of 1400kg and the smaller block suspended has a mass of 530kg. The coefficient of kinetic friction between the large block and the ramp is 0.13. The ramp is at an angle of 15degrees
what is the acceleration of the block up the ramp?

Homework Equations


F=ma
Ff=ukN


The Attempt at a Solution


I know there are four forces actnig on the block, and these are:
in the negative x direction there is the mass of the big block * gravity *sin15 + Ff (m*g*sin15 + 0.13*m*g*cos15)
and in the positive x direction there is the smaller block pulling it down via gravity so m*g*sin15 (m in this case is the smaller block)
a=fnet/m where fnet= mlittle*g*sin15 -(mbig*g*sin15 + 0.13*mbig*g*cos15)
The problem is it ends up being negative when I go to do, and I'm sure the block is mean to be accelerating up the ramp.
a=Fnet/m

It seems like you have a whole lot of forces jumbled up there. Since no loss due to friction was stipulated for the pulley, I think you can consider the whole force due to gravity of the weight is acting parallel to and up along the ramp. Now work on the friction.
 
This is what I've figured out so far but I don't think I'm getting the right answer
5yhgsg.jpg
 
I seem to be getting ~-2ms^-2 as the acceleration and it should be positive??
I don't understand what I'm doing wrong I have
Net F = ma
Fbigblock = m*g*sin theta - (M*g*sin theta + 0.15 *M * g * cos theta)
.'. a = m*g*sin theta - (M*g*sin theta + 0.15 *M * g * cos theta) divided by M
But it doesn't seem right
 
PTPM93 said:
This is what I've figured out so far but I don't think I'm getting the right answer
5yhgsg.jpg

Attached is diagram of what I said before. The smaller weight merely supplies a constant force along the slope of the ramp. You've made the problem harder than it is.
 

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Ah okay, Thanks a lot I understand now
 

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