Physics 71 DQ 5

Discussion Quiz 5 (40 points)

Class No. & Surname:
U  U-1  U-2  U-3  U-4
Answer each question completely in the spaces provided. This is a closed notes quiz and you
are not allowed to discuss with your classmate. Round your final answer properly and box it.
Explicitly state the coordinate system you used. Use g = 9.80 [m/s2 ].

1. [10 pts] A large wrecking ball is held in place by two light steel cables. If the mass
m of the wrecking ball is 4090 [kg], what are the tensions TA and TB as shown in the
following figure.

Solution: Apply Newton’s first law to the wrecking ball. Using a non-rotated co-
ordinate system, and assume upward and right directions positive, then the tension
TB is given by
∑
Fy = 0 (1)
TB cos 40◦ − mg = 0 (2)
mg
TB = = 5.23 × 104 [N] (3)
cos 40◦
The tension TA can be obtained from
∑
Fx = 0 (4)
TB sin 40◦ − TA = 0 (5)
TA = TB sin 40◦ = 3.36 × 104 [N] (6)
Physics 71 DQ 5

2. [10 pts] Three sleds are being pulled horizontally on frictionless horizontal ice using
horizontal ropes. The pull is of magnitude 125 N. Find the tension in ropes A and B.

Solution: Apply Newton’s second law to the three sleds taken together as a com-
posite object and to each individual sled. All three sleds have the same horizontal
acceleration a. Let the direction of motion be positive and let mtot = 60.0 [kg].
∑
Fx = max (7)
P = mtot a (8)
P
a= = 2.08 [m/s2 ] (9)
mtot
The tension TA is given by
∑
Fx = m10 ax (10)
P − TA = m10 a (11)
TA = P − m10 a = 104 [N] (12)

The tension TB is given by

TB = m30 a = 62.4 [N] (13)

Physics 71 DQ 5

3. [10 pts] Consider the following setup where m1 = 20.0 [kg], and α = 53.1◦ . The
coefficient of kinetic friction between the block and the incline is µk = 0.40. What
must be the mass m2 of the hanging block if it is to descend 12.0 [m] in the first
3.00 [s] after the system is released from rest?

Solution: Apply Newton’s second law to each block. The standard kinematics for-
mulas can be used to find the acceleration because the acceleration is constant. The
normal force on m1 is m1 g cos α, so the force of friction on it is fk = µk m1 g cos α.
Standard kinematics gives

2(y − y0 )
ay = a = 2
= 2.667 [m/s2 ]. (14)
t
For m1 , n = m1 g cos α = 117.7 [N], so the friction force on m1 is fk = 47.08 [N].
Applying Newton’s second law to m1 gives

T − fk − m1 g sin α = m1 a (15)
T = fk + m1 g sin α + m1 a = 257.1 [N]. (16)

Newton’s second law for m2 gives

m2 g − T = m2 a (17)
T
m2 = = 36.0 [kg] (18)
g−a
Physics 71 DQ 5

4. Block A in the following figure weights 60.0 [N]. The coefficient of static friction
between the block and the surface on which it rests is 0.25. The weight w is 12.0 [N]
and the system is in equilibrium.
(a) [5 pts] Find the friction force exerted on block A.

Solution: Apply Newton’s first law to block A, to the hanging weight and to
the knot where the cord meets.
For the hanging block
∑
Fy = 0 (19)
T3 − w = 0 (20)
T3 = 12.0 [N] (21)
For the knot,
∑
Fy = 0 (22)
T2 sin 45.0◦ − T3 = 0 (23)
T3
T2 = = 17.0 [N] (24)
sin 45.0◦
and
∑
Fx = 0 (25)
T2 cos 45.0◦ − T1 = 0 (26)
T1 = T2 cos 45.0◦ = 12.0 [N]. (27)
For block A
∑
Fx = 0 (28)
T1 − fs = 0 (29)
fs = T1 = 12.0 [N] (30)
Physics 71 DQ 5

(b) [5 pts] Find the maximum weight w for which the system will remain in equilib-
rium.

Solution: We have all the same free-body diagrams and force equations as in
part (a) but now the static friction force has its largest possible value, fs =
µs n = 15.0 [N]. From the equation of forces on the knot

T2 cos 45.0◦ − T1 = 0 (31)

T1 fs
T2 = = = 21.2 [N] (32)
cos 45.0◦ cos 45.0◦
(33)

and

T2 sin 45.0◦ − T3 = 0 (34)

T3 = T2 sin 45.0◦ = 15.0 [N]. (35)

Finally,

T3 − w = 0 (36)
w = T3 = 15.0 [N] (37)