Assignment 12-2

course phy 201

w?????V?????i??q?assignment #012

012. `query 12

Physics I

03-14-2009

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17:36:31

Query 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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RESPONSE -->

There would obviously be friction forces acting on the pulley since it is good, but not frictionless. There would also be a friction force acting on the m1 object from the tabletop. Gravitational force pulls the m2 object down and adds weight to the m1 object on the table, causing the tabletop friction.

Fnet = m2(a) - Ffrict

F = m*a therefore A = F/m

the gravitational PE would not change.

confidence assessment: 3

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17:40:26

** The net force on the system is the force of gravity on the suspended weight: Fnet = m2*9.8m/s/s

Gravity also acts on m1 which is balanced by force of table on m1, so this force makes no contribution to Fnet.

Acceleration=net force/total mass = 9.8 m/s^2 * m2 / (m1+m2).

If the mass m2 descends distance `dy then gravitational PE decreases by - m2 g * `dy.

COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS AND INSTRUCTOR COMMENTS:

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. **

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RESPONSE -->

so you wouldn't subtract any frictional force. fnet = 2m * g

so the PE would decrease by mutliplying the force by the distance. I forgot that's what energy is. i understand now

self critique assessment: 2

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17:41:14

How would friction change your answers to the preceding question?

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RESPONSE -->

well since i used friction in the first, like i said before, you would have to subtract the frictional force since it goes in the opposite direction of the moving masses.

confidence assessment: 3

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17:41:29

**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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RESPONSE -->

ok

self critique assessment: 3

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17:44:08

Explain 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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RESPONSE -->

since energy is force * displacement, the energy would be the line represented on the graph.

confidence assessment: 3

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17:45:03

** 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. **

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RESPONSE -->

ok

self critique assessment: 3

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17:47:15

STUDENT QUESTIONS: 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 rbber bands?

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RESPONSE -->

work done on the rubber band since it is trying to bring the band back to its equilibrium

confidence assessment: 3

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17:48:44

** Slope isn't directly related to any physical quantity. 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. **

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RESPONSE -->

ok

self critique assessment: 3

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17:48:59

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

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RESPONSE -->

self critique assessment: 3

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&#Your work looks very good. Let me know if you have any questions. &#