Relationship betweem angle of a ramp and tension in rope

In summary, the conversation discusses a physics lab where a cart and a force meter are attached to a ramp and the tension is measured as the angle of the ramp is increased. It is observed that for small angles, the tension increases proportionally to the angle, but at 45 degrees, the tension approaches m9.8. This is due to the small-angle approximation, where for small angles, the angle in radians is approximately equal to the sine of the angle. As the angle becomes larger, the difference between the two values becomes significant, leading to the observed change in tension. This can be verified by using a calculator and setting it to radians to see the relationship between angle and sine of the angle.
  • #1
kf00zy
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In my physics class we did a lab where we attached one end of a string to a .5 kg cart and the other end to a force meter which was all on a ramp. As we increased the angle of the ramp, the tension increased proportionally until the angle reached 45 degrees. From 45 degrees to 90 degrees, as we increased the angle, the tension approached m9.8. I understand why it approaches m9.8, but why does that start at 45 degrees?
 
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  • #2
The tension on the rope is equal to the mass of the cart times the sine of the angle of the ramp. For small angles the angle, in radians, is approximately equal to the sine of the angle. As the angle becomes larger the difference becomes larger and it begins to become significant around Pi/4 which is 45°. Try it with a calculator and you'll see what I mean. Set it to radians and enter small values and calculate the sine and you'll see that for small radians angle=sine(angle).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Small-angle_approximation
 

Related to Relationship betweem angle of a ramp and tension in rope

What is the relationship between the angle of a ramp and the tension in a rope?

The relationship between the angle of a ramp and the tension in a rope can be explained by the concept of forces. As the angle of the ramp increases, the component of the weight acting parallel to the ramp also increases. This results in a larger force pulling the object down the ramp, which in turn increases the tension in the rope holding the object up.

How does the angle of a ramp affect the tension in a rope?

The angle of a ramp directly affects the tension in a rope. As the angle increases, the tension in the rope also increases due to the increased force acting on the object. This can be seen in real-life situations, such as using a pulley system to lift heavy objects up a ramp.

Does the length of the rope affect the relationship between angle of a ramp and tension?

Yes, the length of the rope can also affect the relationship between the angle of a ramp and tension. A longer rope will have more slack and can result in a decrease in tension, even as the angle of the ramp increases. On the other hand, a shorter rope will have less slack and the tension will increase more rapidly as the angle increases.

Is there a limit to how much tension can be created by a ramp with a certain angle?

Yes, there is a limit to how much tension can be created by a ramp with a certain angle. This limit is determined by the weight of the object being pulled up the ramp. Once the tension in the rope reaches the weight of the object, the object will stop moving up the ramp.

How can the relationship between angle of a ramp and tension in a rope be used in real-life applications?

The relationship between angle of a ramp and tension in a rope is used in various real-life applications, such as construction, transportation, and sports. For example, cranes use a combination of ramps and ropes to lift heavy objects, and roller coasters use ramps and tension in ropes to create thrilling drops and curves. Understanding this relationship can also help in designing and building safe and efficient structures.

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