All Problems

The Fundamental Equation of Dynamics

Problem 1.93

A fixed pulley carries a weightless thread with masses m1m_{1} and m2m_{2} at its ends. There is friction between the thread and the pulley. It is such that the thread starts slipping when the ratio m2/m1m_{2} / m_{1} =η0.=\eta_{0} . Find: (a) the friction coefficient; (b) the acceleration of the masses when m2/m1=η>η0m_{2} / m_{1}=\eta>\eta_{0}.

Reveal Answer
1.93. (a) Let us examine a small element of the thread in contact with the pulley (Fig. 5). Since the element is weightless, dT=d T= =dFfr=kdFn=d F_{f r}=k d F_{n} and dFn=Tdα.d F_{n}=T d \alpha . Hence, dT/T=kdα.d T / T=k d \alpha . Integrat- \begin{aligned} &\text { ing this equation, we obtain } k=\left(\ln \eta_{0}\right) / \pi\\ &\text { (b) } w=g\left(\eta-\eta_{0}\right) /\left(\eta+\eta_{0}\right) \text { . } \end{aligned}