Question

A 0.18 m radius pulley is free to rotate about a horizontal axis. A mass and a mass are attached by a massless string, which is hung over the pulley. If the string does not slip, calculate the magnitude of the net torque on the pulley about its rotational axis.

Answer 1

Answer:

T = 1.766(M-m) Nm where M and m are the 2 masses of the objects

Explanation:

Let m and M be the masses of the 2 objects and M > m so the system would produce torque and rotational motion on the pulley. Force of gravity that exert on each of the mass are mg and Mg. Since Mg > mg, the net force on the system is Mg - mg or g(M - m) toward the heavier mass.

Ignore friction and string mass, and let g = 9.81 m/s2, the net torque on the pulley is the product of net force and arm distance to the pivot point, which is pulley radius r = 0.18 m

T = Fr = g(M - m)0.18 = 0.18*9.81(M - m) = 1.766(M-m) Nm