Homework 1 - 5980.

Jesus V Diaz
Sept 7 of 2022

Solve one physics problem using the general procedure.

Figure 1: Problem from "Fundamentals of physics 11th Edition" by David Halliday, Robert Resnick
and Jearl Walker, Pag 121, Problem 64.

Understand
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Given m1 = 3.0Kg, m2 = 1.0Kg, F = 2.3N and Θ = 30◦
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Find T : tension. (a)
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And find the maximum value of F without the cord becoming slack, which is to say T = 0. (b)

Assuming the boxes are rigid bodies, we are told the surface is frictionless and the polley is
also frictionless and massless.

Since we’re being asked about the tension of the cord and everything is frictionless, we can
disregard the normal force.

Assess
The problem deals with the laws of motion.

We consider m1 and m2 have the same acceleration due to being linked as a system by the cord.

The tension is the result of m1 being pulled by m2 .

Since both boxes have the same acceleration, finding it can help in solving the problem.

1
Strategy
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Apply the second law of motion to find T .

Implement
Part a)
Considering the slope, the forces acting on each mass are described as:

for m1 :
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| F | + T = m1 a (1)

for m2 :
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m2 g sin θ − T = m2 a (2)
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From here we can say that T is:
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T = m2 g sin θ − m2 a
And replacing this in equation (1):
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| F | + m2 g sin θ = m1 a + m2 a (3)

i.e
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| F | + m2 g sin θ
a= (4)
(m1 + m2 )
Therefore, with values, a is equal to:

2.3N + 1.0Kg(0.5)(9.8m/seg 2 )
a= = 1.8m/seg 2
(3.0Kg + 1.0Kg)
Replacing this again in equation (1) we can find the tension:
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2.3N + T = (3.0Kg)(1.8m/seg 2 )
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T = 5.4N − 2.3N = 3.1N

Part b)
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As for part (b) if we consider T = 0, then equations (1) and (2) become:
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| F | = m1 a (5)

m2 g sin θ = m2 a (6)
Substituting equation (6) in (5):
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| F | = m1 g sin θ = (3.0Kg)(9.8m/seg 2 )(0.5) = 14.7N
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Therefore, | F | must be lower than 14.7 N so the cord doesn’t become slack.

2
Check
All the units are consistent.
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If | F | is higher than 14.7, let’s say 16 N, then a = 5.23m/seg 2 . Which means:
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16N + T = (3.0Kg)(5.23m/seg 2 )

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T = 15.69N − 16N = 0.31N
This is not a possible value of tension if the cord isn’t slack.