Torque Switching and Directional Tension in Pulleys

  • Thread starter cjavier
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The tension due to the mass m2 is in the opposite direction and the weight acting downward is in the same direction as the tension force. This causes a direction switch.In summary, tension forces act in the opposite direction of the weight and when working on a pulley, the direction of tension switches due to the direction of the weight on the pulley.
  • #1
cjavier
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In the attached picture, one sees a pulley with a mass which is holding two different weights. In chegg, the tension due to a weight is represented as a downward direction. Then, when the tension is working on the pulley, the directions switch. WHY IS THIS?!

Thanks,
Cameron

pulley.png
 
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  • #2
cjavier said:
In the attached picture, one sees a pulley with a mass which is holding two different weights. In chegg, the tension due to a weight is represented as a downward direction. Then, when the tension is working on the pulley, the directions switch. WHY IS THIS?!

Thanks,
Cameron

View attachment 56910
Tension forces always pull away from the objects on which they act. The cable tension force on the mass acts up. The cable tension force on the pulley acts down.
 
  • #3
Tension and the force/load/weight always act opposite in direction. Think of tension as a load that balances the weight.
So when the tension is due to the mass m1 (which directs weight downwards) it is in the upper direction which will take a U-turn after the pulley.
 

1. Why does torque switch direction?

Torque switches direction because it is a vector quantity that depends on both the magnitude and direction of the force applied. When the direction of the force changes, the direction of the torque also changes.

2. What causes torque to change direction?

The direction of torque changes when either the direction of the force or the position vector changes. This can be caused by a change in the applied force, a change in the angle of application, or a change in the position of the force relative to the axis of rotation.

3. How does torque affect rotational motion?

Torque is responsible for causing rotational motion by creating a rotational force that causes an object to rotate around an axis. The magnitude of the torque determines the speed of the rotation, while the direction of the torque determines the direction of the rotation.

4. Why is torque important in mechanical systems?

Torque is important in mechanical systems because it is the measure of the rotational force that is applied to an object. It is used to calculate the amount of work done by a force on a rotating object and is crucial in the design and analysis of many mechanical systems, such as engines and gears.

5. How can torque be increased or decreased?

Torque can be increased by either increasing the magnitude of the applied force or by increasing the distance between the force and the axis of rotation. It can be decreased by decreasing the magnitude of the applied force or by decreasing the distance between the force and the axis of rotation.

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