Physics / Tension Force, Pulleys, & Springs

Label this free body diagram.

Here

What’s the force of tension (F_T) for box m₁?

Given that it’s moving downwards, F_T = m₁g - m₁a

What’s the force of tension (F_T) for box m₂?

Given that it’s moving upwards, F_T = m₂g + m₂a

When you add the two boxes’ force of tensions together, you get m₁g - m₁a = m₂g + m₂a. Therefore, what’s the equation for a?

The equation for acceleration (a) is a = (m₁g - m₂g) / (m₁ + m₂).

Springs can be compressed or stretched. The amount you compress/stretch it by is represented by ﹏, which is called ﹏, and is represented by SI unit ﹏.

x, displacement, meters

The stiffer the spring, the higher the spring constant.

The spring constant, ﹏, has SI unit ﹏.

k, N/m

The equation for force exerted by the spring is…

F = k * x, where F is the force, k is the spring constant, and x is the displacement from the equilibrium position.

As represented by this graph, F and x are ﹏ proportional, and the slope of the graph is the ﹏ ﹏, represented by symbol ﹏.

directly, spring constant, k