Two masses Definition and 249 Threads

In classical mechanics, the two-body problem is to predict the motion of two massive objects which are abstractly viewed as point particles. The problem assumes that the two objects interact only with one another; the only force affecting each object arises from the other one, and all other objects are ignored.
The most prominent case of the classical two-body problem is the gravitational case (see also Kepler problem), arising in astronomy for predicting the orbits (or escapes from orbit) of objects such as satellites, planets, and stars. A two-point-particle model of such a system nearly always describes its behavior well enough to provide useful insights and predictions.
A simpler "one body" model, the "central-force problem", treats one object as the immobile source of a force acting on other. One then seeks to predict the motion of the single remaining mobile object. Such an approximation can give useful results when one object is much more massive than the other (as with a light planet orbiting a heavy star, where the star can be treated as essentially stationary).
However, the one-body approximation is usually unnecessary except as a stepping stone. For many forces, including gravitational ones, the general version of the two-body problem can be reduced to a pair of one-body problems, allowing it to be solved completely, and giving a solution simple enough to be used effectively.
By contrast, the three-body problem (and, more generally, the n-body problem for n ≥ 3) cannot be solved in terms of first integrals, except in special cases.

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  1. M

    Pulley, two masses and an incline

    For this problem, Why is the tension on each side not equal? For this problem I think the only assumption is that the string is inextensible so the accelerations of the masses are equal. Many thanks!
  2. String theory guy

    Doubt about solution -- Two masses connected by a rod moving on a surface

    The doubt is about this question. Which the answer is They say that all the forces are pulling forces? How is this the case? How would this setup even work? I don't think block 2 could pull the rod.
  3. R

    Two masses on a rotating platform

    I'm having some trouble figuring this problem out. I've found the tension in (a) but I don't know where to start with (b). I've found that the distance between one of the masses and the rotational axis on the picture is R+0.52 m and that the masses rise to a height of h = 0.3 m. The moment of...
  4. J

    Velocity of two masses due to electric potential energy

    We can find the potential energy by finding the potential difference between the two masses. the minimum distance between the two masses is 10 cm. The maximum is 30 cm because they can be 3 string lengths apart as they repulse each other once the string is cut. So, to get potential difference...
  5. runningphysics

    Two masses connected by a rope on a pulley on a ramp

    I have no clue how to do the problem. I created a free body diagram for each block. I assume that it is simpler than I am making it out to be.
  6. antythingyani

    Dsa -- Two masses orbiting their barycenter

    Two bodies with masses m2 and m1, m2=a.m1 and m2>m1 orbit each other in circular orbits. if the barycenter moves at a speed v with respect to an inertial reference frame, What should be the relative speed of the bodies so that m1’s orbit in this inertial frame will have cusps?
  7. SpectraPhy09

    Gravitational Forces between two masses

    Density of the Sphere = 3M/4πR³ Mass of carved out sphere = density × 4π/3 × R³/8 = M/8 The position of center of mass of The Sphere {M(0) - M/8(R/2)}/M-M/8 -R/14 So total distance between centers of the two bodies is R/14 + 3R = 43R/14 So now I found force between the Mass 7M/8 (left out...
  8. L

    What is the final angular displacement of a disk hit by two masses?

    1) By conservation of linear momentum: ##m_1 v_1-m_2v_2=(m+m_1+m_2)v_{cm}\Rightarrow v_{cm}=\frac{m_1}{m+m_1+m_2}v_1-\frac{m_2}{m+m_1+m_2}v_2=\frac{3}{8}\frac{m}{s}##; 2) By conservation of angular momentum: ##-Rm_1v_1-Rm_2v_2=I_{total}\omega=(I_{disk}+m_1R^2+m_2R^2)\omega## so...
  9. D

    Is Fgy the Same as FN in a System with Two Masses and Friction?

    I am just confused on how to find the normal force/ FN of the first object. My classmates are saying Fgy is the exact same as Fn but I don’t get why Fgy= Fg sin theta Fgy= (20)(9.81) (sin35) Fgy= 112.5 Fgy = FN
  10. B

    Gravitational Potential In the Field Caused by Two Masses

    I got (a) but have no idea about b. Potential fields aren't just additive all the time are they?
  11. J

    Gravity and Energy -- Two masses above two different planets

    So far, I have found g of the foreign planet, Vf of the ball, and realize that GPEiA = KEfA (Am I right here?). Thus, since GPEiA = GPEiE, GPEiE also equals KEfE. I also understand that, since the same impulse is applied to catch the objects, both objects have the same momentum at the moment...
  12. alan123hk

    Testing Newtonian Gravity: Collision of Two Masses

    [Mentor Note: thread split off from a different thread] https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/heavier-objects-fall-faster.1002022/ Since seeing this thread yesterday, I have been trying to derive the time equation for the collision of two masses due to Newtonian gravity. Unfortunately, this...
  13. V

    What is the energy conservation principle in a two masses and pulley problem?

    i) I first analyzed the forces as soon as the 14 Kg is released. The aim of this step is to calculate the work done by the net force acting on the 14 kg mass to determine the change in kinetic energy. T-14g=-14a T-8g=8a T=99.7 N a=6g/22 m/s^2 Since the net force is constant and does not vary...
  14. O

    B Gravitational force between two masses

    Hello everyone. Probably this question is trivial, but nevertheless I am confused about Newtons law of motion: $$F=G\frac{m_1m_2}{r^2}$$ Now, some sources say, that F is the force between the two masses m1 and m2. Other sources say, that F is the force that m1 exhibits on m2. But isn’t this a...
  15. dahoom102

    A spring being compressed between two masses

    i attempted this problem by using conservation of energy, mgh=1/2kx^2 mgD=1/2kD^2 2mg=kD k=2mg/D why is it wrong ? btw the correct answer used mg = kx which is mg/D
  16. J

    Determining the accelerations -- two masses connected by a spring

    So first I looked at the forces acting on m1 m1a1=F spring on m2-F spring Then m2 m2a2=F spring-F spring on m1 using 3rd law, m2a2=F spring+F spring on m2 m2a2=F spring+m1a1+F spring m2a2=2F spring+m1a1 Not entirely sure if I've done the above correctly, but I am stuck now because I have...
  17. J

    How Do You Calculate the Force Between Two Masses?

    Answer is 7.00. I don't really know where to start on this one. Because there is no friction, shouldn't there be no force pushing against the first mass? If I assume the next mass has a force that acts against the first, I'm not sure how to find it.
  18. adamm150

    A simple system of two masses and two pulleys

    hey there, I am confusing what is the right answer to this system of mass, I solved it a couple of time and I got different answers. can you help me with that? I need to find the expression of the acceleration of the 2 masses. thanks a lot,Adam.
  19. T

    Moment of Inertia with pulley and two masses on a string (iWTSE.org)

    Note: the working (taken from iWTSE website) refers to inertia as the symbol ‘J’ (in-case there was any confusion).I found equations of motion for mass m and 2m which were ‘T1 = ma + mg’ and ‘T2 = 2mg – 2ma’, respectively. I know they are connected particles with the same acceleration ‘a’.I have...
  20. T

    Moments Question (IWTSE.org) -- Three balances and two masses

    I think I have done this in an inefficient way. I assumed from the question that the three balances were of equal mass, though I'm not sure if I should have ignored their mass entirely. The correct answer is X = (62 + [2/9]) kg. Please help.
  21. pkreilley

    Two Masses, a Pulley, and an Inclined Plane

    I solved for T on m1 and arrived at 6.72. I plugged that value into the ΣFx equation as shown above (pardon my handwriting) and got a mass of 0.88 kg. The online program indicated that I needed to check my expression for tension, noting that the two tensions are heading in opposite directions...
  22. E

    Pulley and Two Masses -- Newton's Law of Motion

    From this question, I do not understand why there are three forces exerted at Point C (2 of it being the tension by weight A and the other is the tension by weight B) I understand that there is tension by the two weights but why is there 2 forces exerted by weight A at point C? From the...
  23. Nexus99

    What is the correct expression for the total moment of inertia in this scenario?

    1) I found: ##x_{CM} = z_{CM} = 0 ## ##y_{CM} = \frac{L}{2} \frac{m_1 - m_2}{M + m_1 + m_2} ## 2) Applying the conservation of linear momentum: ##M v_0 - m_1 v_0 - m_2 v_0 = (M + m_1 + m_2) v_f ## ##v_f = \frac{M - m_1 - m_2 }{M + m_1 + m_2} v_0 ## The velocity should have been found also...
  24. Nexus99

    Two masses, a rope and a spring

    I tried in this way: 1) Considering a reference axis oriented downwards: ##M_1:## ## -T + M_1g - k \frac{L_0}{2} = 0## ##T = M_1g - k \frac{L_0}{2} ## 2) ##M_2:## ##M_2g + k \frac{L_0}{2} = M_2 a## ## a = g + \frac{k}{M_2} \frac{L_0}{2} ## 3) ## M_2g \frac{L_0}{2} + \frac{1}{2} k...
  25. T

    Conservation of energy problem: Two masses, a pulley and an incline

    If M moves ##x## along the plane, her height variation in ##x \cos(\alpha)##, and, but I don't know how to find the variation of the height of ##m##
  26. H

    Mechanics: Two masses on a pulley causing two cylinders to accelerate

    Hi! I need help with this problem. m1-2-3-4 and R are given. There is no slip in the system. I have to give F1-2-3-4 in respect of the masses and R. Here is what I managed to m1 is easy: m1*a = m1*g - T(tension of the rope) m2: m2*a = T - (?) <-- I have a problem with this. F1 and F3 is the...
  27. W

    MHB Physics 12u - Two masses Spinning on a disc

    A penny of mass 3.10 g rests on a small 20.0-g block supported by a spinning disk. The block is sitting at the edge of the disc at a radius of 12 cm. If the coefficient of friction between block and disk are 0.750 (static) and 0.640 (kinetic) while those for the penny and block are 0.450...
  28. L

    Entropy change for two masses of water mixed adiabatically

    the entropy change for a reversible adiabatic process is zero as it remains constant. Is this a reversible process? assuming T1>T2: hot (h) water has mass M, temp T1 cold (c) water has mass nM, temp T2 let the final temperature be Tf if δQ=0 as the process is adiabatic, |Qh|=|Qc| so Qh=-Qc...
  29. Like Tony Stark

    Angular velocity of a bullet and two masses

    As ##P=ccte## we can find final velocity considering a plastic collision ##m_0 . v_0 =(2m+m_0).V## But what about the angular velocity? Because, as the bullet hits the centre of mass of the string, it won't have angular velocity
  30. S

    Conservation of Momentum: Elastic Collision of Two Masses

    I really want to know which answer is correct. I don’t really know if I should include velocities to the left as negative velocities in the equation. Is it -1 or 4.33? Please help! Thanks!
  31. B

    How to find the equilibrium point between two masses? (Topic 6.2)

    Morning all I've recently come across a problem where I get conceptually but cannot apply mathematically if that makes sense. I understand the position of the third mass must be at the equilibrium point of ##m_1## (##9.0×10^{24}kg##), so ##\Sigma F = 0## right? And not even necessarily zero...
  32. Z

    Does the Velocity of the Center of Mass Consider the Spring and m2?

    I want to know if my solution is correct: The velocity of the center of mass immidiately after m1 has moved is just vcm=m1v1 /(m1+m2) I thing that i have to consider the spring and the m2
  33. D

    How to calculate the moment of inertia of a bar with two masses on it?

    I first tried to calculate the moment of inertia of the bar. The problem is that I don't understand exactly how are the dimensions of the bar. The fact that it has a width ##a## means that its height is ##a##, or that it has an unknown hight and the width is ##a##, like a parallelepiped? After...
  34. Mert Kerem Yavuz

    Motion of a system that has two masses and three pulleys

    Homework Statement Homework Equations F = ma The Attempt at a Solution I couldn't draw the freebody diagram. There's this weight of mass m, which is mg, downwards from m and there's tension T to upwards. This T affects mass M in the +x direction, but how could i find out the normal force...
  35. R

    Two masses on an inclined plane without friction

    Homework Statement Two identical masses are connected with a rope and are gliding without any friction. Situation given in the picture: Determine after which distance "s" they stop if we have s=0 at t=0 with starting velocity ##v_0## Given: ##\alpha## and ##\beta## with ##\alpha < \beta##...
  36. Ahmed Ayman

    Mechanics problem with two masses, a pulley and friction

    Can anyone please explain to me how can I calculate the "Tension" and "acceleration" of M in this question interms of M,m1,m2 and g? I can't understand how M has an acceleration or why M is involved in the calculation of the tension my solution was that acc of M is zero and Tension = m1g x...
  37. Zeke Bevan

    Newton's Third Law Problem: Two masses, a rope and a pulley

    Homework Statement Two blocks are attached to opposite ends of a massless rope that goes over a massless, frictionless, stationary pulley. One of the blocks w/ a mass of 1.5 kg accelerates downward at (3/4)g. A. What is the mass of the other block? Homework Equations There were no given...
  38. J

    Finding the acceleration of two masses on a pulley system

    Homework Statement Two blocks of the masses m1=7.40 kg and m2=m1/2 are connected via a massless pulley and massless string. The system is currently in equilibrium but is about to start sliding, if m2 would increase even by a bit. For the friction between the surface and m1 assume that µs=µk...
  39. Amitayas Banerjee

    Equilibrium Conditions for a Rotating Rod with Two Point Masses

    1. A weightless rod carries towards of masses M and M. The roads Hinge Joint to vertical axis OO', which rotates with an angular velocity ω. Determine the angle φ formed by the rod and there vertical. The attempt at a solution If I am not wrong, the two ways to ensure equilibrium are...
  40. R

    You're welcome, Rémi! Good luck with your exercise.

    Hello ! Homework Statement Two blocks M1 and M2 are connected by a string of negligible mass. If the system is released from rest, find how far block M1 slide in time ##t##. Neglect friction. Diagram: See Attached Image Clue given in the manual: If M1 = M2, then solution is ##x(t)=...
  41. G

    What is the solution for particle motion between two masses?

    Homework Statement Statement of the problem (quoting from my assignment): a) write equations of motion b) try to solve analytically Given: m1, m2 - two masses R - distance between two masses Homework Equations V=-G(m1/r + m2/(R-r)) F=-dV/dr The Attempt at a Solution a) Equations of motion: v...
  42. A

    Trying to understand two masses connected by a shaft

    I have the following system I got from a book, which models the dynamics of two masses connected by a shaft. The system is given below: And the equations given in the book for this system is below: The nominal speed is w0. And the interest here is the deviations from the nominal for mass...
  43. Y

    Two masses connected by spring rotate around one axis

    Homework Statement Take the x-axis to be pointing perpendicularly upwards. Mass ##m_1## slides freely along the x-axis. Mass ##m_2## slides freely along the y-axis. The masses are connected by a spring, with spring constant ##k## and relaxed length ##l_0##. The whole system rotates with...
  44. K

    Why Did I Get the Pulley Tension Forces Wrong?

    Homework Statement [/B]Homework Equations F = m*aThe Attempt at a Solution [/B] Hello, i think i understand d and e so only the first three tasks are important.a) a = (m2 - m1)/(m1 + m2) *g -> (5kg - 2kg)/(2kg+5kg) *10ms^-2 = 4.29 ms^-2 T = m1 (a+g) -> 2kg (4.29ms^-2 + 10ms^-2) = 28...
  45. SciencyBoi

    Three Pulley - two masses system.

    Homework Statement The given system is released from rest. Assuming no friction, mass-less pulleys and ideal strings; calculate the accelerations of the pulleys. Homework Equations Constraint equations. F=ma The Attempt at a Solution Taking the above assumptions; And applying constraints...
  46. J

    Understanding the Harmonic Motion of Two Masses Connected by a Spring

    Homework Statement Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution i) ##x_{cm} = \dfrac{m_1x_1 + m_2x_2}{m_1 + m_2}## At any time t , ##x_{cm} = v_0t## and ##x_1= v_0t - A(1-\cos{ωt})## From the above two , we get ##x_2 = v_0t + \dfrac{m_1}{m_2}A(1-\cos{wt})## I'm not clear what to do in...
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