Query 12

#$&*

course phy 121

Wed Oct 9, 9:16 am

If your solution to stated problem does not match the given solution, you should self-critique per instructions at

 

   http://vhcc2.vhcc.edu/dsmith/geninfo/labrynth_created_fall_05/levl1_22/levl2_81/file3_259.htm

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Your solution, attempt at solution.  If you are unable to attempt a solution, give a phrase-by-phrase interpretation of the problem along with a statement of what you do or do not understand about it.  This response should be given, based on the work you did in completing the assignment, before you look at the given solution.

 

012.  `query 12

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Question:  `qQuery   set 3 #'s 13-14     If an object of mass m1 rests on a frictionless tabletop and a mass m2 hangs over a good pulley by a string attached to the first object, then what forces act on the two-mass system and what is the net force on the system?  What would be the acceleration of the system?  How much would gravitational PE change if the hanging mass descended a distance `dy?

 

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Your solution: 

 F1=m1*9.8 m/s^2

F2=m2*9.8 m/s^2

F_net= 9.8 m/s^2*(m1-m2)

acceleration=net force/total mass

a=9.8(m1-m2)/(m1+m2)

@&

9.8 m/s^2 * m1 does not contribute to the acceleration, since that mass is supported by the tabletop. If it was hanging over a pulley, the situation would be different. The forces acting in the vertical direction on mass m1 are, in this case, equal and opposite, so they do not contribute to the net force.

Only the gravitational force on m2 contributes to the net force.

Also, the only mass that changes its vertical position is m2, so the only change in gravitational PE is that of m2.

*@

??? I am stuck here, I am going to read the solution and see if I can get it...

 

confidence rating #$&*:

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Given Solution: 

`a** The net force on the system is the force of gravity on the suspended weight:  Fnet = m2 * 9.8 m/s/s, directed downward.

 

Gravity also acts on m1 which is balanced by the upward force of table on this mass, so the forces on m1 make no contribution to Fnet.

 

Acceleration=net force/total mass = 9.8 m/s^2 * m2 / (m1+m2), again in the downward direction.

 

The change in gravitational PE is equal and opposite to the work done by gravity.   This is the definition of change in gravitational PE. 

If the mass m2 descends distance `dy then the gravitational force m * g and the displacement `dy are both downward, so that gravity does positive work m g `dy on the mass.  The change in gravitational PE is therefore - m g `dy.

 

COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS AND INSTRUCTOR COMMENTS:

Misconception:  The tension force contributes to the net force on the 2-mass system.  Student's solution:

The forces acting on the system are the forces which keep the mass on the table, the tension in the string joining the two masses, and the weight of the suspended mass. 

The net force should be the suspended mass * accel due to gravity + Tension.

INSTRUCTOR COMMENT: 

 String tension shouldn't be counted among the forces contributing to the net force on the system.

The string tension is internal to the two-mass system.  It doesn't act on the system but within the system.

Net force is therefore suspended mass * accel due to gravity only 

'The forces which keep the mass on the table' is too vague and probably not appropriate in any case.  Gravity pulls down, slightly bending the table, which response with an elastic force that exactly balances the gravitational force.   **

STUDENT COMMENT

I don't understand why m1 doesn't affect the net force. Surely it has to, if mass1 was 90kg, or 90g, then are they saying that the force would be the same regardless?
INSTRUCTOR RESPONSE

m1 has no effect on the net force in the given situation.

Whatever the mass on the tabletop, it experiences a gravitational force pulling it down, and the tabletop exerts an equal and opposite force pushing it up. So the mass of that object contributes nothing to the net force on the system.
The mass m1 does, however, get accelerated, so m1 does have a lot to do with how quickly the system accelerates.  The greater the mass m1, the less accelerating effect the net force will have on the system.
Also if friction is present, the mass m1 is pulled against the tabletop by gravity, resulting in frictional force.  The greater the mass m1, the greater would be the frictional force.
All these ideas are addressed in upcoming questions and exercises.

STUDENT COMMENT

I understand the first few parts of this problem, but I am still a little unsure about the gravitational PE.

I knew what information that was required to solve the problem, but I just thought the solution would be more that (-m2 * 9.8m/s^2 * ‘dy). 
INSTRUCTOR RESPONSE

Only m2 is changing its altitude, so only m2 experiences a change in gravitational PE.
Equivalently, only m2 experiences a gravitational force in its direction of motion, so work is done by gravity on only m2.

 

STUDENT COMMENT

I forgot that PE = m * g * 'dy. And I did not think that the table exerting force on the mass took it out of the system. I understand the idea though.
INSTRUCTOR RESPONSE

the table doesn't take the mass out of the system, but it does counter the force exerted by gravity on that mass

so the total mass of the system is still the total of the accelerating masses, but the net force is just the force of gravity on the suspended mass, (since the system is said to be frictionless, there is no frictional force to consider)

SYNOPSIS

The change in gravitational PE is equal and opposite to the work done by gravity. This is the definition of change in gravitational PE.
If the mass m2 descends distance `dy then the gravitational force m * g and the displacement `dy are both downward, so that gravity does positive work m g `dy on the mass. The change in gravitational PE is therefore - m g `dy.

As you say,
`dw_noncons + `dPE + `dKE = 0
If `dW_noncons is zero, as is the case here (since there are no frictional or other nonconservative forces present), then 
`dPE + `dKE = 0
and 
`dKE = - `dPE.
In this case `dPE = - m g `dy so
`dKE = - ( - m g `dy) = m g `dy.

 

The signs are confusing at first, but if you just remember that signs are important these ideas will soon sort themselves out. 

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Self-critique (if necessary):

 ""Gravity also acts on m1 which is balanced by the upward force of table on this mass, so the forces on m1 make no contribution to Fnet.""

This tricked me in the problem, I assumed automatically that the m1 mass was a factor in the force. But the way the solution points out that it is not makes sense, that is sort of tricky!

Regarding the gravitational PE:

I need to memorize that equation[=m(???) *g(gravitational force)*'dy(m2 displacement)]

??? What does the m stand for?

@&

Memorizing a specialized equation doesn't lead to an overall understanding, though if you have a good memory and remember the specific situation to which the equation applies it can be useful to do so. However there are a large number of possible situations and variations, and memorizing an equation for each would tend to get very confusing.

Still, you can compare the equation F_net = (m1 g - m2 g) / (m1 + m2) to a number of situations. If you understand the meaning of the equation (which applies to an Atwood machine with no friction or other nongravitational forces) then you can see why in the present situation m1 g would have to be absent. Formulas for other situations can also be compared to this one.

*@

@&

m g `dy is a general formula for the change in gravitational potential energy of mass m, where upward is the positive direction. That's worth remembering, but it's not the only formula for PE so it should only be applied to a mass and its change in vertical position, and only in situations where g doesn't change significantly.

*@

@&

The more important thing to remember is the definition of a change in PE:

`dPE is equal and opposite to the work done by conservative forces.

In this case gravity is the only conservative force present. It acts downward. When an object rises, its displacement and the force of gravity are in opposite directions, so the work done by gravity is negative. It follows from the above definition of `dPE that the change in gravitational PE for a rising object is positive.

*@

  

 

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Self-critique Rating: 3

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Question:  `qHow would friction change your answers to the preceding question?

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Your solution: 

 Friction would make the m1 mass have an effect, and then the acceleration would inevitably change.

 

 

confidence rating #$&*:

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Given Solution: 

`a**Friction would act to oppose the motion of the mass m1 as it slides across the table, so the net force would be m2 * g - frictional resistance. **

 

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Self-critique (if necessary): OK

 

 

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Self-critique Rating: OK

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Question:  `qExplain how you use a graph of force vs. stretch for a rubber band to determine the elastic potential energy stored at a given stretch.

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Your solution: 

 Width is the force and the height is the distance/stretch

Therefore we can find the area=force(width)* distance/stretch (height)

Potential Energy is the area under the curve.

 ????I am a little confused on this, but I think I got it.

 

@&

You're very close. You got your axes mixed up, but otherwise your thinking is good.

*@

@&

A graph of y vs. x has y on the vertical and x on the horizontal axis.

A graph of force vs. stretch therefore has force on the vertical and stretch on the horizontal axis.

So width is the change in stretch, which is the distance the rubber band ends are moved apart. Average height is the average force.

The area does therefore equal the work done against the conservative force, which in this case is the tension force. That work is equal and opposite to the work done by the tension force (i.e., by the conservative force), so it's equal to the change in PE.

*@

 

confidence rating #$&*:

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Given Solution: 

`a** If we ignore thermal effects, which you should note are in fact significant with rubber bands and cannot in practice be ignored if we want very accurate results, PE is the work required to stretch the rubber band.  This work is the sum of all F * `ds contributions from small increments `ds from the initial to the final position.  These contributions are represented by the areas of narrow trapezoids on a graph of F vs. stretch.  As the trapezoids get thinner and thinner, the total area of these trapezoids approaches, the area under the curve between the two stretches. 

 

So the PE stored is the area under the graph of force vs. stretch. **

STUDENT QUESTION

 I am still a little confused about if the work is done by the rubber bands, or if the work is done one the rubber bands.

Would you explain the difference?
INSTRUCTOR RESPONSE

This example might be helpful:
If you pull the end of an anchored rubber band to the right, it exerts a force to the left, in the direction opposite motion, so it does negative work during the process.
You, on the other hand, pull in the direction of motion and do positive work on the rubber band.

 

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Self-critique (if necessary): OK

 

 

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Self-critique Rating: OK

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Question:  `q  Does the slope of the F vs stretch graph represent something?  Does the area under the curve represent the work done?  If so, is it work done BY or work done ON the rubber bands?

 

 

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Your solution: 

 Slope is represented by the area under the curse

@&

A curve with a given slope can be raised or lowered without affecting the slope. So the curve could be high or low, and the area beneath it could be large or small. The slope has nothing to do with the area under a curve.

*@

Slope is rise/run, (force/distance). Rate of change on the force with respect to the rubber band distance.

 

@&

You need to connect this to the definition of rate of change. Rise is change in force, run is change in position, so rise / run is change in force / change in position. According to the definition of rate of change, this is the average rate of change of force with respect to position.

*@

 

confidence rating #$&*:

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Given Solution:  

`a** The rise of the graph is change in force, the run is change in stretch.  So slope = rise / run = change in force / change in stretch, which the the average rate at which force changes with respect to stretch.  This basically tells us how much additional force is exerted per unit change in the length of the rubber band. 

The area is indeed with work done (work is integral of force with respect to displacement).

 

If the rubber band pulls against an object as is returns to equilibrium then the force it exerts is in the direction of motion and it therefore does positive work on the object as the object does negative work on it.

 

If an object stretches the rubber band then it exerts a force on the rubber band in the direction of the rubber band's displacement, and the object does positive work on the rubber band, while the rubber band does negative work on it. **

STUDENT QUESTION

 Okay, so are you saying that the rubber band could either be doing work or getting work done on it? I believe I understand this, but just wanted to double check.
INSTRUCTOR RESPONSE

Yes, and that depends on whether the rubber band is being stretched, or contracting.
When it is being stretched positive work is being done on the rubber band. 
After being released the rubber band does positive work on the object to which its force is applied.

 

 

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Self-critique (if necessary): OK

 

 

 

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Self-critique Rating: OK

PREVIOUS STUDENT RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR COMMENTS

There is a whole lot of stuff concerning Newton’s laws of motion and there applications to force and acceleration. They will take some serious application to master. I understand what potential energy is, I understand that it is decreasing as kinetic energy increase, but I don’t understand how to measure it. Its like an invisible force, and the only relation to which I can apply it is in the context of gravity. If we have a 1kg object and we hold it 5meters off the ground, then according to the equation above

PE = m*g*`dy this would be

PE = 1kg * 9.8m/s^2 * 5m = 49 kg * m^2/s^2

my algebra is so bad but I still cant see this contributing to a useful measurement or unit. I don’t know how to swing it so it’ll give me a newton, PE has to be measured in newtons right because it is indeed a force?

Ohhh I get it now!! I remember, a kg times a m/s^2 is a newton, and a newton times a meter is a Joule!!! So this is a valid measurement, which would make that equation valid, the potential energy for the above circumstance would be 49 Joules then. 
INSTRUCTOR RESPONSE

Very good.
Remember that F_net = m a
If you multiply mass m in kg by acceleration a in m/s^2, you get the force in Joules.
Of course when you multiply kg by m/s^2 you get kg m/s^2.
This is why a Newton is equal to a kg m / s^2.

Work being the product of a force and a displacement will therefore have units of Newtons * meters, or kg * m/s^2 * m, which gives us kg m^2 / s^2.
 

Query   Add comments on any surprises or insights you experienced as a result of this assignment."

Self-critique (if necessary):

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Self-critique rating:

PREVIOUS STUDENT RESPONSE TO REQUEST FOR COMMENTS

There is a whole lot of stuff concerning Newton’s laws of motion and there applications to force and acceleration. They will take some serious application to master. I understand what potential energy is, I understand that it is decreasing as kinetic energy increase, but I don’t understand how to measure it. Its like an invisible force, and the only relation to which I can apply it is in the context of gravity. If we have a 1kg object and we hold it 5meters off the ground, then according to the equation above

PE = m*g*`dy this would be

PE = 1kg * 9.8m/s^2 * 5m = 49 kg * m^2/s^2

my algebra is so bad but I still cant see this contributing to a useful measurement or unit. I don’t know how to swing it so it’ll give me a newton, PE has to be measured in newtons right because it is indeed a force?

Ohhh I get it now!! I remember, a kg times a m/s^2 is a newton, and a newton times a meter is a Joule!!! So this is a valid measurement, which would make that equation valid, the potential energy for the above circumstance would be 49 Joules then. 
INSTRUCTOR RESPONSE

Very good.
Remember that F_net = m a
If you multiply mass m in kg by acceleration a in m/s^2, you get the force in Joules.
Of course when you multiply kg by m/s^2 you get kg m/s^2.
This is why a Newton is equal to a kg m / s^2.

Work being the product of a force and a displacement will therefore have units of Newtons * meters, or kg * m/s^2 * m, which gives us kg m^2 / s^2.
 

Query   Add comments on any surprises or insights you experienced as a result of this assignment."

Self-critique (if necessary):

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Self-critique rating:

#*&!

&#Your work looks good. See my notes. Let me know if you have any questions. &#