Mass and pulley system question

In summary, a mass of 53 g is hanging from a light, inextensible string that passes over a solid, homogeneous pulley with a mass of 12 g and a radius of 3.6 cm. The other end of the string is attached to a sliding mass of 27 g on an inclined plane at a 25° angle to the horizontal. To find the acceleration of the hanging mass, the sum of all forces must equal 0. However, in the attempt at a solution, the different physical entities were mixed up and the correct approach is to consider each mass separately and write down the appropriate equations for force or torque. Care must be taken with the tensions in the string as they will be different on either side
  • #1
Dtbennett
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Homework Statement



A mass M = 53 g hangs from a light, inextensible string. It passes without sliding over a pulley. The pulley can be treated as a solid homogeneous disc with mass mp = 12 g and radius 3.6 cm, that turns without friction on its axis. The other end is attached to a mass m = 27 g that slides without friction on a plane inclined at angle θ = 25° to the horizontal. What is the acceleration of mass M?

Homework Equations



I of disk = 1/2MR^2

The Attempt at a Solution



Okay, so I am attempting to find the acceleration of the mass downwards. Due to Newton's second law, the sum of all forces is 0. Therefore logically, the acceleration should be

acceleration of M = Mg - (inertia of disk + mgsin(x) )

so acceleration of M = 0.054x9.8 - [(0.5 x 0.012 x 3.6^2) + (0.027x 9.8 x sin25)]

But for some reason I am not getting the right answer. Am I approaching it incorrectly?
 

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  • #2
You are mixing up several different kinds of physical entity. You are subtracting a moment of inertia from a force and taking the answer to be an acceleration. You can only add or subtract or equate two things if they have the same dimensionality - both forces, both accelerations, both moments of inertia, etc.

Best is to consider each mass separately, creating extra symbols for unknowns as necessary. What are the forces acting on the suspended mass? Write down the ∑F= ma equation for that. Then do the same for the pulley (∑torque = Iα in this case) and again for the other mass.
Be careful wrt the tensions in the string. The tension one side of the pulley will be different from that on the other side.
 
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Related to Mass and pulley system question

1. What is a mass and pulley system?

A mass and pulley system is a type of mechanical system that consists of a mass (or weight) and one or more pulleys. The mass is connected to a rope or cable that runs over the pulleys, allowing for the transfer of force and motion.

2. How does a mass and pulley system work?

A mass and pulley system works by using the principle of mechanical advantage. The pulleys in the system can be used to change the direction of the force applied to the mass, making it easier to lift or move the mass. The more pulleys in the system, the greater the mechanical advantage.

3. What are the different types of mass and pulley systems?

There are three main types of mass and pulley systems: fixed, movable, and compound. In a fixed system, the pulleys are attached to a fixed point, such as a ceiling. In a movable system, the pulleys are attached to the moving object, such as a flagpole. A compound system combines both fixed and movable pulleys to create an even greater mechanical advantage.

4. What factors affect the performance of a mass and pulley system?

The performance of a mass and pulley system can be affected by several factors, including the number and placement of pulleys, the weight of the mass, and the type of material used for the rope or cable. Friction between the pulleys and the rope can also impact the system's efficiency.

5. What are some real-life applications of mass and pulley systems?

Mass and pulley systems are commonly used in everyday life, such as in elevators, cranes, and flagpoles. They are also used in industrial settings, such as in manufacturing and construction, to lift and move heavy objects. In addition, mass and pulley systems are used in physics experiments and demonstrations to illustrate principles of mechanics.

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