How to Find Tension in a String on an Inclined Plane: Physics Homework Help

[fronomo]

Homework Statement

A 6.0 box is on a frictionless 44 slope and is connected via a massless string over a massless, frictionless pulley to a hanging 1.5 weight.

1.What is the tension in the string if the 6.0 box is held in place, so that it cannot move?

2.What is the tension in the string once the box begins to move?

Homework Equations

T=m*a

The Attempt at a Solution

I did a free body diagram for the two masses but I missed a day of class and I'm trying to figure out exactly how to set this up to solve it. Any help is appreciated. Thanks

-Chris

 

[alphysicist]

Hi fronomo,

Homework Statement

A 6.0 box is on a frictionless 44 slope and is connected via a massless string over a massless, frictionless pulley to a hanging 1.5 weight.

1.What is the tension in the string if the 6.0 box is held in place, so that it cannot move?

2.What is the tension in the string once the box begins to move?

Homework Equations

T=m*a

The Attempt at a Solution

I did a free body diagram for the two masses but I missed a day of class and I'm trying to figure out exactly how to set this up to solve it.

What do you free body diagrams look like? For example, what about the force diagram for the 1.5 (kg?) hanging box look like for the first case? What equation can you get from it?

 

[baba89]

I would first like to commend you for seeking assistance and clarifying any confusion you may have regarding this problem. It is important to fully understand the concepts and equations involved in order to accurately solve physics problems.

To find the tension in a string on an inclined plane, we can use the equation T=m*a, where T is the tension in the string, m is the mass of the object, and a is the acceleration of the object.

1. If the 6.0 kg box is held in place, it is not moving and therefore has no acceleration. This means that the tension in the string is equal to the weight of the hanging weight, which is 1.5 kg multiplied by the acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s^2). Therefore, the tension in the string is 14.7 N.

2. Once the box begins to move, it will experience a net force due to the weight of the hanging weight and the force of gravity acting on the box. This will cause the box to accelerate down the incline. Using the equation T=m*a, we can solve for the tension in the string. The mass of the box is 6.0 kg and the acceleration of the box can be found using Newton's second law, F=ma, where F is the net force acting on the box. The net force in this case is the weight of the hanging weight (1.5 kg * 9.8 m/s^2) minus the component of the weight acting parallel to the incline (1.5 kg * 9.8 m/s^2 * sin(44 degrees)). This gives us a net force of 9.4 N.

Plugging this into the equation T=m*a, we get T=6.0 kg * 9.4 m/s^2, which gives us a tension of 56.4 N.

I hope this explanation helps you understand how to approach and solve this problem. It is important to always double check your equations and units to ensure an accurate solution. If you are still unsure, I recommend consulting with your teacher or a fellow classmate for further clarification. Good luck with your physics homework!