Understanding Tension and Acceleration: A Helpful Explanation

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In summary, the conversation discusses finding acceleration without knowing the tension. The suggestion is made to start with the understanding that tension on both sides will be equal and that the tension must be less than the weight of the 4kg mass for the blocks to move down the 4kg mass side.
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tdreceiver17
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My question is how do you find the acceleration if you don't know the Tension. If someone could just elaborate on the question as a whole it would be very helpful.


I didn't really know anything about how to do this problem.
 
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  • #2
do you really _not_ know which way it will fall? does it look balanced?
 
  • #3
Start with this notion and see where it gets you: Tension on both sides will be the same, since this pulley is massless/frictionless. Also, in order for the the blocks to move down the 4kg mass side, T must be less than the the weight of the 4kg mass. Make sense?
 

FAQ: Understanding Tension and Acceleration: A Helpful Explanation

What is tension?

Tension is a force that is exerted on an object when it is pulled or stretched. It is measured in units of Newtons (N) and is represented by the symbol "T".

How does tension affect acceleration?

Tension can either increase or decrease an object's acceleration, depending on the direction of the force. If the tension is pulling in the same direction as the object's motion, it will increase the acceleration. However, if the tension is pulling in the opposite direction, it will decrease the acceleration.

Can tension be negative?

Yes, tension can be negative. This occurs when the force is pulling in the opposite direction of the object's motion. In this case, the tension is considered a resistive force and will decrease the object's acceleration.

What are some real-life examples of tension and acceleration?

A common example of tension and acceleration is a person swinging on a rope. As they swing back and forth, the tension in the rope will increase and decrease, affecting their acceleration. Another example is a car being pulled by a tow truck. The tension in the tow rope will either increase or decrease the car's acceleration depending on the direction of the force.

How can we calculate tension and acceleration?

To calculate tension and acceleration, we can use Newton's second law of motion, which states that force (F) equals mass (m) multiplied by acceleration (a). This can be represented by the formula F=ma. By rearranging this formula, we can solve for tension or acceleration depending on what information is given.

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