Question

Three objects are connected by massless wires over a massless frictionless pulley as own in the figure. The tension in the wire connecting the 10.0-kg and 15.0-kg objects is 6) measured to be 133 N. What is the tension in wire A? (5 POINTS) 15.00 kg 133 N 10.00 kg

Answer 1

Let's call the tension of the 133N wire: T_2.

First, we need to find the acceleration of the 10kg block, which is also the acceleration of the entire system.

T_1 - m*g = ma

(T_1 - m*g) / m = a

(133N - (10kg * 9.8 m/s^2)) / 10kg = 3.5 m/s^2

Now, find the tension of the longer wire using the 15kg block.

ΣF_y = T_1 - m*g - T_2 = m*a (Draw a free-body diagram if this isn't apparent)

T_1 = m*a + m*g +T_2

T_1 = (15kg)(3.5m/s^2)+(15kg)(9.8m/s^2) + 133N

T_1 = 332.5N