What is the formula for calculating force using a spring balance?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the calculation of force using a spring balance in a physics context. Participants explore the dynamics of a system involving two masses and a spring balance, questioning the relationships between tension, mass, and acceleration.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss drawing free body diagrams for the masses and the spring, examining the forces acting on each object. There are questions about the static nature of the system and the implications of different setups involving the spring balance.

Discussion Status

The conversation is active, with participants providing guidance on how to approach the problem by considering the forces and tensions involved. There is a recognition of the need to clarify assumptions and to apply relevant physics equations to the situation.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express confusion regarding the assumptions about the system's static nature and the role of the spring balance in measuring tension. There are references to the need for practical understanding and the limitations of theoretical knowledge in this context.

  • #31
Suyash Singh said:
i don't know the math here but in this case one of the force acts as a "support" ,that is, we could replace one of the force with a wall.

what i mean to say is that two teams pulling rope from two sides with same force
is the same case as
a team pulling a rope attached to a stationary wall with the same force.
but i don't know the math because its not given properly anywhere.
 
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  • #32
Suyash Singh said:
Applying on m2
force=m2(g+a)
Applying on m1
force=m1(g-a)
Right. You have two equations and two unknowns. Solve to find the force.
How does that force relate to what the spring balance shows?
 
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  • #33
haruspex said:
Right. You have two equations and two unknowns. Solve to find the force.
How does that force relate to what the spring balance shows?
a=(m1-m2)g/m1+m2
force=2m1m2/m1+m2
oh so the spring balance shows 2m1m2/m1+m2 since it divides the tension produced by g to get the mass
 
  • #34
and
Suyash Singh said:
a=(m1-m2)g/m1+m2
force=2m1m2/m1+m2
oh so the spring balance shows 2m1m2/m1+m2 since it divides the tension produced by g to get the mass
that's why two teams pulling a rope with the same force of 1000N will produce a tension of 1000N !

because tension=2*1000*1000/(1000+1000)=1000N
wow now i am so clear about this :)
 
  • #35
Suyash Singh said:
force=2m1m2/m1+m2
You missed out g and you should use parentheses in the denominator, but other than that, yes.
 
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