What is the acceleration and tension in this inclined pulley system?

In summary, the conversation is discussing an inclined pulley system with two masses, A and B, and a coefficient of friction between mass A and the incline of 0.18. The goal is to find the acceleration and tension in the string between the masses. Through calculations, it is determined that the system will not move due to the friction force being greater than the net force between the two blocks. The tension in the string is equal to the gravitational pull of mass B. The term "þverkraftur" in Icelandic translates to "transverse force" in English.
  • #1
Brynhildur
7
1
I have an inclined pulley with inclination 30°. There is mass A on top of it equals 2 kg. And over a frictionless pulley there is a mass B with weight 0,83 kg.
The text says that the coefficient of friction is 0,18 between mass A and the incline.
I need to know the acceleration. and I also have to find the tension? in the string between the masses over the pulley.
I know the answer is zero, but I'm having trouble understanding why? Is it because the mass of object B is too small to move the system as in over come the friction?
The equations I'm using are
Fþverkraftur*=m*g*sin(θ)
Ffriction = μ*m*g*cos(θ)
Ftension - mB*g=mb*a

*This is icelandic, I don't know the english term for it, I´m sorry :)
 
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  • #2
Brynhildur said:
I have an inclined pulley with inclination 30°. There is mass A on top of it equals 2 kg. And over a frictionless pulley there is a mass B with weight 0,83 kg.
The text says that the coefficient of friction is 0,18 between mass A and the incline.
I need to know the acceleration. and I also have to find the tension? in the string between the masses over the pulley.
I know the answer is zero, but I'm having trouble understanding why? Is it because the mass of object B is too small to move the system as in over come the friction?
The equations I'm using are
Fþverkraftur*=m*g*sin(θ)
Ffriction = μ*m*g*cos(θ)
Ftension - mB*g=mb*a

*This is icelandic, I don't know the english term for it, I´m sorry :)
You have to crank out the numbers to see if the block A on the incline moves down the incline , up the incline, or remains stationary. Assume motion one way or the other or assume stationary and draw free body diagrams of each block to see what happens when applying Newtons laws. Note that tension forces cannot be pushing forces. I also wish I could translate Icelandic for you.
 
  • #3
First thing to determine: Does it move? Imagine the blocks starting from rest. How much of a force must the tension overcome to accelerate block A? What's the maximum value of tension in the string?
 
  • #4
So I've done a calculation and I'm not really sure if it's what I am looking for, or really how to interpret it
Ffriction=μN
ΣFx=T-Ffriction-Fþverkraftur=0
ΣAFy=N-Fg⋅yA=0
Σ T-Fg⋅B= 0

FgA=mA*g*sin(θ)-mag*cos(θ)
FyB= mB*g

T-Ffriction-mA*g*sin(θ)=0
N-mAg*cos(θ)
T-mBg=0 → T=mBg

mb*g-Ffriction-mAg*sin(θ)=0
Ffriction=mBg-mAg*sin(θ)
N=mAg*cos(θ)

μN=μ*mAg*cos(θ)= Ffriction

__________________
1. Ffriction=g(mB-mA*sin(θ))= 9,8(0,83-2*sin(30))=-1,66 N
2. Ffmax = μ*mAg*cos(θ) = 0,18*2*9,8*cos(30)= 3,055

The first one is the frictional force needed to prevent the block from sliding. The second is the maximum frictional force. Since the first is less than the second that means the blocks do not move and that is why there is zero acceleration? And the tension in the string is equal to the gravitational pull of mass B? 8,134 N?

I hope this is understandable but I can't seem to even google what I want to know, well how to put it in english and icelandic sites don't give me any information, so am I on the right track at least? :)
 
  • #5
You're on the right track, but your reasoning is a bit difficult to follow.

Answer this question. If there were no friction, which way would mass A accelerate? Up the incline or down the incline? That will help you determine the direction of the friction force that must be overcome.
 
  • #6
Calculate the net force between the two blocks, is this greater than the friction force ? if not then no movement will take place.
 
  • #7
Yes, that is exactly what I was looking for! Thank you all very much!
 
  • #8
Brynhildur said:
þverkraftur*

*This is icelandic, I don't know the english term for it, I´m sorry :)
Google translate gives "transverse force", which is reasonable, but it would be clearer to say force parallel to the plane, or force down the plane.
 

FAQ: What is the acceleration and tension in this inclined pulley system?

Why is the acceleration zero?

The acceleration of an object is zero when there is no change in its velocity. This can happen when the object is either at rest or moving at a constant speed.

How does an object have zero acceleration?

An object can have zero acceleration if the forces acting on it are balanced, meaning there is no net force causing a change in its motion. In other words, the forces pushing or pulling on the object cancel each other out.

What is the significance of zero acceleration?

Zero acceleration is significant because it indicates that the object is not accelerating, or changing its velocity, at that moment. This can be useful in understanding the motion of an object and predicting its future movement.

Can an object have zero acceleration and still be moving?

Yes, an object can have zero acceleration and still be moving at a constant speed. This is known as uniform motion, where the object maintains a constant velocity with no change in speed or direction.

How does zero acceleration affect an object's motion?

Zero acceleration has no effect on an object's motion as it indicates that the object is not changing its velocity. The object will continue to move at a constant speed and in the same direction until an unbalanced force acts on it to change its velocity.

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