Does a massless string cause a normal force when attached to a wall?

In summary, a massless string does not inherently cause a normal force when attached to a wall. The normal force arises from the interaction of the wall with an object exerting pressure against it. If the string pulls on an object or exerts tension, the resulting forces on the object may lead to a normal force at the wall, depending on the configuration and forces involved. However, the string itself, being massless, does not contribute directly to the creation of a normal force.
  • #1
laser
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Homework Statement
Does a massless string cause a normal force when attached to a wall?
Relevant Equations
F=ma probably
1702134312752.png

I'm almost certain that if it was a "steel rod" or something heavy like that, the normal (the force written in green) would exist. But does it exist for a "massless ideal string"? I mean, there is tension in the string of course, but would that cause the normal perpendicular to the wall?
 
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  • #2
At the point of attachment the string exerts tension that is directed along the string and away from the point of attachment (you can't push with a string). This tension has a normal component and a component parallel to the surface. It's not the weight of the string that is the cause of this force but the weight of the ball hanging at the other end of the string that keeps the string taut. If you remove the ball, the string will go limp and exert no force if it is massless.
 
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  • #3
Would the cart shown in the attached diagram remain where represented when "there is tension in the string of course"?

Spehre cart.jpg
 
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FAQ: Does a massless string cause a normal force when attached to a wall?

Can a massless string exert a normal force on a wall?

No, a massless string cannot exert a normal force on a wall. A normal force is a contact force that acts perpendicular to the surface of contact. Since a massless string has no mass, it cannot exert any force on the wall in the normal direction. It can only transmit tension along its length.

What type of force does a massless string exert when attached to a wall?

A massless string primarily exerts a tension force along its length. When attached to a wall, the string can pull on the wall with a force equal to the tension in the string, but this force acts along the direction of the string, not perpendicular to the wall.

Does the tension in a massless string affect the wall it is attached to?

Yes, the tension in a massless string can affect the wall it is attached to. The string will exert a pulling force on the wall equal to the tension in the string. However, this force is not a normal force; it is a tensile force acting along the direction of the string.

In what scenarios would a massless string exert a force on a wall?

A massless string would exert a force on a wall if it is under tension. For example, if an object is hanging from the string, the tension created by the object's weight will pull on the wall. The force exerted is along the direction of the string and is equal to the tension in the string.

Can a massless string cause any deformation in the wall it is attached to?

In theory, a massless string itself cannot cause deformation in the wall because it has no mass. However, the tension transmitted through the string due to external forces (like a hanging weight) could potentially cause deformation if the tension is large enough. The deformation would be due to the tensile force, not a normal force.

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