ual8658 said:[mentor's note: Spilt from https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/tension-questions.852525]
How does friction in a pulley or a rotating pulley change the uniform tension in a rope that was present in an ideal situation? Thanks!
An ideal pulley is a frictionless, massless wheel that can change the direction of a force without changing its magnitude. A non-ideal pulley, on the other hand, has friction and a certain amount of mass, which can affect the tension and force calculations in a system.
Friction in a pulley can cause a decrease in the tension in a system. This is because some of the force is used to overcome the friction, rather than being transmitted to the other side of the pulley.
Yes, a non-ideal pulley can affect the mechanical advantage of a system. This is because the presence of friction and mass can cause a decrease in the tension, which in turn affects the force ratio between the input and output sides of the pulley.
The effect of a non-ideal pulley on tension can be minimized by using lubrication to reduce friction and choosing a pulley with a larger diameter to decrease the effect of its mass on the system. Additionally, using multiple pulleys in a system can distribute the load and reduce the effects of friction on tension.
No, it is not possible to have a completely ideal pulley in a real-world scenario. However, engineers and scientists strive to design and use pulleys with minimal friction and mass in order to minimize the effects on tension and improve the efficiency of systems.