- #1
SkyOfMyOwnLight
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- Homework Statement
- Two boxes of masses M1= 2kg and M2 = 1 kg are pulled up a frictionless ramp by a force P=25N. Calculate the tension in the rope connecting the boxes. Theta is 40 degrees.
- Relevant Equations
- F = m* a
Hi guys, I feel that this question has a very straightforward answer but I am just not quite grasping it. The first picture is the homework question, the second is the free body diagram I drew.
I know that a = F/m and I know the solution should be:
a = (P - m1*gsinθ - m2*gsinθ) / m1 + m2
What I don't understand is why isn't tension (T) included in the above equation? It's clearly along the x-axis with the others and P is used, so why not tension as well?
The equation that seems logical to me to use is:
a = (T + P - m1*gsingθ - m2*gsingθ ) / m1 + m2
but this is wrong. Can you help me understand why T doesn't belong?
Thank you in advance!
I know that a = F/m and I know the solution should be:
a = (P - m1*gsinθ - m2*gsinθ) / m1 + m2
What I don't understand is why isn't tension (T) included in the above equation? It's clearly along the x-axis with the others and P is used, so why not tension as well?
The equation that seems logical to me to use is:
a = (T + P - m1*gsingθ - m2*gsingθ ) / m1 + m2
but this is wrong. Can you help me understand why T doesn't belong?
Thank you in advance!