Insights Blog
-- Browse All Articles --
Physics Articles
Physics Tutorials
Physics Guides
Physics FAQ
Math Articles
Math Tutorials
Math Guides
Math FAQ
Education Articles
Education Guides
Bio/Chem Articles
Technology Guides
Computer Science Tutorials
Forums
Trending
Featured Threads
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles only
By:
Menu
Log in
Register
Navigation
More options
Contact us
Close Menu
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Forums
Physics
Classical Physics
Mechanics
Why is tension an external force?
Reply to thread
Message
[QUOTE="PhanthomJay, post: 6019911, member: 58874"] Yes, when you look at the system of both particles and the thread, the tension force in the thread is an internal force. But what your professor is likely doing is looking at a [i] free body diagram [/i] of one of the particles, not both. In a free body diagram, you isolate the particle in question from the rest of the system by making an imaginary cut through the thread (in this case)and around the particle. The tension on the 'cut' thread now becomes an external force on the particle. Anytime you cut an internal force in a free body diagram, it now becomes external in that diagram. [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Post reply
Forums
Physics
Classical Physics
Mechanics
Why is tension an external force?
Back
Top