- #1
Blakeasd
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Why is one Tension Negative and the Other Positive -- Atwood Machines
Hello,
Please consider the following:
I am trying to understand how to solve for acceleration when dealing with Atwood machines. I keep getting hung up on one part: the direction of tension. In the image above, why is tension in the sum of the forces for m2 negative when if I were to draw a force diagram it is pointing up. Furthermore, why is gravity positive? Tension is pulling the masses up and gravity is pulling them down. A force diagram's directions are not different between m1 and m2, so why are they different when summing the equations.
Many Thanks.
Hello,
Please consider the following:
I am trying to understand how to solve for acceleration when dealing with Atwood machines. I keep getting hung up on one part: the direction of tension. In the image above, why is tension in the sum of the forces for m2 negative when if I were to draw a force diagram it is pointing up. Furthermore, why is gravity positive? Tension is pulling the masses up and gravity is pulling them down. A force diagram's directions are not different between m1 and m2, so why are they different when summing the equations.
Many Thanks.
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