What is the tension and mass relationship in a three-block system on an incline?

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a system of three blocks (A, B, and C) connected by ropes on an incline, with blocks A and B having the same mass and a coefficient of kinetic friction. Block C descends with constant velocity, and the task is to find the tension in the rope between blocks A and B, the mass of block C, and the acceleration of block C if the rope connected to block A is cut.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the forces acting on each block, including tension, friction, and gravitational components. There are attempts to establish equilibrium equations for the blocks and to express relationships between tensions and masses.

Discussion Status

Some participants confirm certain expressions for tension and discuss the balance of forces. Others question the assumptions made regarding the forces acting on the blocks, particularly in relation to acceleration and equilibrium conditions. There is an ongoing exploration of the relationships between the variables involved.

Contextual Notes

Participants note potential omissions in the equations and question the setup of the force balance, particularly regarding the acceleration of block B and the implications of cutting the rope connected to block A. There are also references to specific angles and coefficients that are critical to the problem's context.

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Homework Statement





blocks A B AND C are connected as show. block A and B have the same mass "m" and the coefficient of kinetic friction between each block is uk. block C descends with constant velocity. use 30 degrees for the angle of the incline.

given m, uk
find

a.
tension in rope between blocks A AND B

b.

mass of block C

c.

if the rope connected to block A is cut, determine the accel of block C


The Attempt at a Solution



http://i.imgur.com/KJsro.png

FAx = T1 - uk*N1 = 0
FAy = N1 - mg = 0

FBx = T2 - T1 - uk*N2 = 0
FBy = N - mg*cos(30) = 0

FCy = mc*g - T2 = 0


a.

N1 = mg -> T1 = uk*mg


b.

N2 = mg*cos(30) - > T2 = uk*mg + uk*mg*cos(30)

mc*g - ( uk*mg + uk*mg*cos(30) ) = 0

mc = uk*m + uk*m*sqrt(3)/2

I think these are right(confirm pls)


c is what confuses me but my attempt:

FBx = T2 - uk*N2 - g*sin(30) = 0
FBy = N2 = mg*cos(30)

FCy = mc*g - T2 = mc*a


T2 = uk*mg*cos(30) + g*sin(30)

a = (mc * g - T2) / mc * g


(uk*m + uk*m*sqrt(3)/2 - uk*m*sqrt(3)/2 + 1/2 ) / uk*m + uk*m*sqrt(3)/2 (g should cancel out)

is this all right? thanks for any help.
 
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a. Correct t1=mgμk
b. t2 is balanced by 3 forces, t1, friction and the weight of the mass.
c. t3 is balance by weight of mass c.
 
oreosama said:
c is what confuses me but my attempt:

FBx = T2 - uk*N2 - m[/color]g*sin(30) = 0
Note omission in red. Also, block B is accelerating, correct? Why have you set the sum of forces equal to 0??
FBy = N2 = mg*cos(30)
yes
FCy = mc*g - T2 = mc*a
yes
T2 = uk*mg*cos(30) + g*sin(30)
please correct
a = (mc * g - T2) / mc * g
where did the g come from?
(uk*m + uk*m*sqrt(3)/2 - uk*m*sqrt(3)/2 + 1/2 ) / uk*m + uk*m*sqrt(3)/2 (g should cancel out)

is this all right? thanks for any help.
Make appropriate corrections.
 
T1 = uk*mg

T2 - T1 - Ff - mgsin(30) = 0

T2 = uk*mg + uk*mg*cos(30) + mg*sin(30)

mcg - T2 = 0

mc = uk*m + uk*m*sqrt(3)/2 + m/2c)

FBx = T2 - uk*mg*cos(30) - mg*sin(30) = ma

FCy = mc*g - T2 = mc*a

T2 = mc*a + mc*gmc*a + mc*g - uk*mg*cos(30) - mg*sin(30) = ma

mc*g - uk*mg*cos(30) - mg*sin(30) = ma - mc*a

mc*g - uk*mg*cos(30) - mg*sin(30) = a(m - mc)a = (mc*g - uk*mg*sqrt(3)/2 - mg/2) / (m - mc)

a = (uk*mg + uk*mg*sqrt(3)/2 + mg/2 - uk*mg*sqrt(3)/2 - mg/2) /( m - mc)a = (uk*mg) /( m - uk*m - uk*m*sqrt(3)/2 - m/2)
 
oreosama said:
T1 = uk*mg

T2 - T1 - Ff - mgsin(30) = 0

T2 = uk*mg + uk*mg*cos(30) + mg*sin(30)

mcg - T2 = 0

mc = uk*m + uk*m*sqrt(3)/2 + m/2


c)

FBx = T2 - uk*mg*cos(30) - mg*sin(30) = ma

FCy = mc*g - T2 = mc*a
OK
T2 = mc*a + mc*g
You have a signage error here. Check algebra.
mc*a + mc*g - uk*mg*cos(30) - mg*sin(30) = ma

mc*g - uk*mg*cos(30) - mg*sin(30) = ma - mc*a

mc*g - uk*mg*cos(30) - mg*sin(30) = a(m - mc)


a = (mc*g - uk*mg*sqrt(3)/2 - mg/2) / (m - mc)
this should be OK once you make the correction on your algebra/signage error noted above when determining T2.
a = (uk*mg + uk*mg*sqrt(3)/2 + mg/2 - uk*mg*sqrt(3)/2 - mg/2) /( m - mc)


a = (uk*mg) /( m - uk*m - uk*m*sqrt(3)/2 - m/2)
These last 2 steps are OK where you make the substitution for mc
 

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