open QA 25

course Phy 201

025. More Forces

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Question: `q001. Note that this assignment contains 5 questions.

. A pendulum consists of a 150 g mass suspended from a light string. Another light string is attached to the mass, which is then pulled back from its equilibrium position by that string until the first string makes an angle of 15 degrees with vertical. The second string remains horizontal.

Let the x axis be horizontal and the y axis vertical. Assume that the mass is pulled in the positive x direction. If T stands for the tension in the pendulum string, then in terms of the variable T what are the x and y components of the tension?

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Your solution:

The string will make an angle with that of the vertical of 15 degrees. Because we make the assumption that it is being pulled in the positive direction, which is x, tension will be directed up and to the left, also making an angle with that of the vertical of 15 degress. So we find the measurement and direction of the tension force to be:

90 deg + 15 deg = 105 deg (this is measured counterclockwise from the positive x axis.)

x component T of tension = cos (105 deg)

y component T of tension = sin (105 deg)

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Given Solution:

The pendulum string makes an angle of 15 degrees with vertical. Since we have assumed that the pendulum is pulled in the positive x direction, the direction of the tension in the string will be upward and to the left at an angle of 15 degrees with vertical. The tension force will therefore be directed at 90 degrees + 15 degrees = 105 degrees as measured counterclockwise from the positive x axis.

The tension will therefore have x component T cos(105 degrees) and y component T sin(105 degrees).

STUDENT QUESTION:

why did you add 90deg to 15deg, i knew that x should have been Tcos(15) and y Tsin(15), i wasn't sure about the 90deg

INSTRUCTOR RESPONSE

15 deg is the angle with the y axis. If you use T cos(theta) and T sin(theta) then the angles must be measured counterclockwise from the positive x axis.

The pendulum is displaced in the positive x direction. So relative to the position of the pendulum mass, the string pulls up and to the left--into the second quadrant--at an angle of 90 degrees + 15 degrees = 105 degrees. 

Starting from the positive x axis you would have to rotate through 90 degrees to get to the y axis, then through the 15 degree angle the string makes with the y axis.

STUDENT COMMENT: Ok that makes sense. Its like the vertical pendelum is just shifted so the pendelum tension will be like a vector.

INSTRUCTOR RESPONSE Right. The tension exerts a force, and forces are characterized by magnitude and direction so they can be represented by vectors.

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Question: `q002. Continuing the preceding problem, we see that we have a vertical force of T sin(105 deg) from the tension. What other vertical force(s) act on the mass? What is the magnitude and direction of each of these forces? What therefore must be the magnitude of T sin(105 deg).

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Your solution:

Gravitational force is the on other vertical force to factor in that will be acting on the mass. It is=

.150 kg * 9.8 m/s^ 2

= 1.47 Newtons.

It is directed vertically downward.

Because the mass is not accelerating, Fnet in the y direction = 0. From this we can see that:

T sin(105 deg) - 1.47 N = 0

T sin(105 deg) = 1.47 N

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Given Solution:

The only other vertical force acting on the mass will be the gravitational force, which is .150 kg * 9.8 meters/second ^ 2 = 1.47 Newtons. The direction of this force is vertically downward.

Since the mass is in equilibrium, i.e., not accelerating, the net force in the y direction must be zero. Thus

T sin(105 deg) - 1.47 Newtons = 0 and T sin(105 deg) = 1.47 Newtons.

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Question: `q003. Continuing the preceding two problems, what therefore must be the tension T, and how much tension is there in the horizontal string, which is holding the pendulum back?

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Your solution:

Given that T sin(105 deg) = 1.47 N, then we know that:

T = 1.47 N/ (sin(15 deg))

= 1.47 N/.97

= 1.52 N

Horizontal component of tension:

T cos(105 deg) = 1.52 N * cos(105 deg)

= 1.52 N * (-.26)

= approx -.39 N

Because mass is not acceleration, Fnet = 0 in the direction of x. The x component of T and the tension of the second string (T2) will be the only forces acting in the x direction.

Because of this we can see that:

T2 + (-.39 N) = 0

T2 = .39 N

Meaning that the tension of the second string is .39 N.

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Given Solution:

If T sin(105 deg) = 1.47 Newtons then T = 1.47 Newtons / (sin(15 deg)) = 1.47 Newtons/.97 = 1.52 Newtons.

Thus the horizontal component of the tension will be T cos(105 deg) = 1.52 Newtons * cos(105 deg) = 1.52 Newtons * (-.26) = -.39 Newtons, approximately.

Since the mass is in equilibrium, the net force in the x direction must be zero. The only forces acting in the x direction are the x component of the tension, to which we just found to be -.39 Newtons, and the tension in the second string, which for the moment will call T2. Thus

T2 + (-.39 N) = 0 and T2 = .39 N.

That is, the tension in the second string is .39 Newtons.

STUDENT COMMENT: I'm really confused now. If we started out with a .15 kg mass that is equal to 1.47 Newtons. How did we create more weight to get 1.52 Newtons? Is the horizontal string not helping support the weight or is it puling on the weight adding more force?

INSTRUCTOR RESPONSE: A horizontal force has no vertical component and cannot help to support an object against a vertical force.

The vertical component of the tension is what supports the weight, so the tension has to be a bit greater than the weight.

The tension in the string is resisting the downward weight vector as well as the horizontal pull, so by the Pythagorean Theorem it must be greater than either.

STUDENT COMMENT: Thats odd how that works that the tension is negative

INSTRUCTOR RESPONSE: The tension isn't negative, but in this case, where the displacement from equilibrium is positive, the string pulls back (upward and to the left) so the horizontal component of the tension is negative.


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Question: `q004. If a 2 kg pendulum is held back at an angle of 20 degrees from vertical by a horizontal force, what is the magnitude of that horizontal force?

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Your solution:

T represents the tension in the string of the pendulum. Since we made the assumption that the pendulum was displacing in the positve direction of x and will be measured in a counterclockwise direction from that of x, we know it will = 90 deg + 20 deg = 110 deg.

x component of tension = T cos(110 deg)

y component of tension = T sin(110 deg).

Weight of the 2 kg pendulum = 2 kg * 9.8 m/s^ 2

= 19.6 N

This weight will be directed in the negative vertical direction. Because the pendulum is not accelerating, the vertical Fnet =0

T sin(110 deg) + (-19.6 N) = 0

Solve the equation for T:

T = 19.6 N / (sin(110 deg) )

= 19.6 N / (.94)

= approx 20.8 N

Horizontal component tension:

T cos(110 deg) = 20.8 N * cos(110 deg)

= 20.8 N * (-.34) = approx -7 N

To reach equilibrium, there has to be an additional horizontal force of + 7 N.

Confidence assessment rating:

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Given Solution:

At the 20 degree angle the tension in the pendulum string will have a vertical component equal and opposite to the force exerted by gravity. The tension with therefore have a horizontal component. To achieve equilibrium by exerting the horizontal force, this horizontal force must balance the horizontal component of the tension.

We therefore begin by letting T stand for the tension in the pendulum string. We also assumed that the pendulum is displaced in the positive x, so that the direction of the string as measured counterclockwise from the positive x axis will be 90 degrees + 20 degrees = 110 degrees. Thus the x component of the tension will be T cos(110 deg) and the y component of the tension will be T sin(110 deg).

The weight of the 2 kg pendulum is 2 kg * 9.8 meters/second ^ 2 = 19.6 Newtons, directed in the negative vertical direction. Since the pendulum are in equilibrium, the net vertical force is zero:

T sin(110 deg) + (-19.6 N) = 0

This equation is easily solved for the tension: T = 19.6 N / (sin(110 deg) ) = 19.6 N / (.94) = 20.8 Newtons, approximately.

The horizontal component of the tension is therefore T cos(110 deg) = 20.8 N * cos(110 deg) = 20.8 N * (-.34) = -7 N, approx.. To achieve equilibrium, the additional horizontal force needed will be + 7 Newtons.

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Question: `q005. The 2 kg pendulum in the previous exercise is again pulled back to an angle of 20 degrees with vertical. This time it is held in that position by a chain of negligible mass which makes an angle of 40 degrees above horizontal.

Describe your sketch of the forces acting on the mass of the pendulum.

What must be the tension in the chain?

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Your solution:

Weight will be partially supported be the tension. This lets us know that the tension does not remain the same as in the previous scenario. Horizontal component of tension in the chain needs to be equal and opposite to the horizontal component of tension in the string.

In my drawing, the weight vector goes linearly downward, tension in the string goes up and to the left creating an angle of 20 degrees to vertical. Tension in the my chain goes up and towards the right creating an angle at 40 degrees above horizontal. The horizontal components of the 2 tensions are equal and opposite, this gives me a value that is equal to the opposite of the weight vector.

Then T1 acting in regard of an angle of 110 degrees as measured counterclockwise from the positive x axis, and T2 acts in regard of an an angle of 40 degrees.

So we see that:

x component of T1 = T1 * cos(110 deg)

y component of T1 = T1 * sin(110 deg)

x component of T2 = T2 * cos(40 deg)

y component = T2 * sin(40 deg)

Weight = -19.6 N

The pendulum isn’t accelerating so we know that all the x components together as well as all the y components together will equal 0.

From here we have our equations:

T1 * cos(110 deg) + T2 * cos(40 deg) = 0

T1 * sin(110 deg) + T2 * sin(40 deg) - 19.6 N = 0.

-.33 T1 + .77 T2 = 0

.95 T1 + .64 T2 - 19.6 N = 0.

Solve for T1 and T2:

Solve for T1 in terms of T2:

T1 = .77 T2 / .33

= 2.3 T2.

Substituting 2.3 T2 for T1 in the second equation:

.95 * 2.3 T2 + .64 T2 - 19.6 N = 0

2.18 T2 + .64 T2 = 19.6 N

2.82 T2 = 19.6 N

Solve for T2:

T2 = 19.6 N/2.82

= approx 6.9 N

Because we know that T1 = 2.3 T2:

T1 = 2.3 * 6.9 N

= approx 15.9 N

Tension of the pendulum string = 15.9 N

tension of the chain= approx 6.9 N

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Given Solution:

The weight of the pendulum is partially supported by the tension in the chain. Thus the tension in the pendulum string is not the same as before. The horizontal component of the tension in the chain will be equal and opposite to the horizontal component of the tension in the pendulum string.

Your picture should show the weight vector acting straight downward, the tension in the pendulum string acting upward and to the left at an angle of 20 degrees to vertical and the tension in the chain should act upward into the right at an angle of 40 degrees above horizontal. The lengths of the vectors should be adjusted so that the horizontal components of the two tensions are equal and opposite, and so that the sum of the vertical components of the two tensions is equal of opposite to the weight vector.

Since both tensions are unknown we will let T1 stand for the tension in the pendulum and T2 for the tension in the chain. Then T1, as in the preceding problem, acts at an angle of 110 degrees as measured counterclockwise from the positive x axis, and T2 acts at an angle of 40 degrees.

At this point whether or not we know where we are going, we should realize that we need to break everything into x and y components. It is advisable to put this information into a table something like the following:

x comp y comp

T1 T1 * cos(110 deg) T1 * sin(110 deg) in

T2 T2 * cos(40 deg) T2 * sin(40 deg)

Weight 0 &nb sp; -19.6 N

The pendulum is held in equilibrium, so the sum of all the x components must be 0, as must the sum of all y components. We thus obtain the two equations

T1 * cos(110 deg) + T2 * cos(40 deg) = 0 and

T1 * sin(110 deg) + T2 * sin(40 deg) - 19.6 N = 0.

The values of the sines and cosines can be substituted into the equations obtain the equations

-.33 T1 + .77 T2 = 0

.95 T1 + .64 T2 - 19.6 N = 0.

We solve these two simultaneous equations for T1 and T2 using one of the usual methods. Here we will solve using the method of substitution.

If we solve the first equation for T1 in terms of T2 we obtain T1 = .77 T2 / .33 = 2.3 T2. Substituting 2.3 T2 for T1 in the second equation we obtain

.95 * 2.3 T2 + .64 T2 - 19.6 N = 0, which we easily rearrange to obtain

2.18 T2 + .64 T2 = 19.6 Newtons, or

2.82 T2 = 19.6 N, which has solution

T2 = 19.6 Newtons/2.82 = 6.9 N, approximately.

Since T1 = 2.3 T2, we have T1 = 2.3 * 6.9 N = 15.9 N, approximately.

Thus the pendulum string has tension approximately 15.9 Newtons and the chain the tension of approximately 6.9 Newtons.

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