Hi DaveTan, Welcome to Physics Forums.DaveTan said:Homework Statement
Two blocks, each with weight w, are held in place on a frictionless incline as shown in Figure. In terms of w and the angle a of the incline, calculate the tension in the rope connecting the blocks
Homework Equations
T = mg
The Attempt at a Solution
I cannot for figure out why the answer is Wsin(a)! I thought that since Tsin(a) = mg, T = w/sin(a)
Tension acts both ways (as does compression). The force it exerts on B will be up and to the right, that on A down and to the left.DaveTan said:
The Tension Rope and Blocks Problem is a physics problem that involves determining the tension in a rope that is attached to multiple blocks. The blocks are connected by the rope and are suspended in mid-air, with each block having a different mass. The problem typically requires the use of equations such as Newton's Second Law and the Law of Conservation of Energy to calculate the tension in the rope.
The tension in the rope is directly related to the masses of the blocks. As the mass of the blocks increases, the tension in the rope also increases. This is because the weight of the blocks pulls down on the rope, creating a force that must be countered by the tension in the rope.
When solving the Tension Rope and Blocks Problem, it is typically assumed that the rope and blocks are massless, and that there is no friction present. These assumptions simplify the problem and allow for easier calculations. However, in real-world scenarios, the rope and blocks would have some mass and friction would also be present, which could affect the results.
The direction of the tension force in the rope is always in the direction away from the block. This is because the tension force is a pulling force that is keeping the blocks suspended in mid-air. Additionally, the tension force acts in the opposite direction of the force of gravity, which is pulling the blocks downward.
While the Tension Rope and Blocks Problem is typically solved using equations, it can also be solved using graphical methods. This involves drawing a free-body diagram and using vector addition to determine the resultant force acting on the blocks. Both methods should yield the same result, but graphical methods may be more useful for visual learners.