Two boxes are connected to each other by a string as shown in the figure. The 10-N box slides without friction on the horizontal table surface. The pulley is ideal and the string has negligible mass. What is true about the tension T in the string? (HINT you can solve this without needing to solve for the tension exactly)
Two boxes are connected to each other by a string as shown in the figure. The 10-N box slides without friction on the horizontal table surface. The pulley is ideal and the string has negligible mass. What is true about the tension T in the string? (HINT you can solve this without needing to solve for the tension exactly)
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![### Tension in a String Connected to Two Boxes
**Problem Description:**
Two boxes are connected to each other by a string in a system, as shown in the figure. The 10-N box slides without friction on a horizontal table surface. The pulley is ideal, and the string has negligible mass. The question is about determining the tension \( T \) in the string.
**Hint:** You can solve this without needing to solve for the tension exactly.
**Visual Representation:**
In the provided figure:
- The 10-N box rests on a horizontal table.
- A string is connected to this 10-N box and goes over a pulley.
- The other end of the string is connected to a 30-N weight, which hangs vertically off the table.
### Possible Answers:
1. \( T = 10 \, \text{N} \)
2. \( T = 40 \, \text{N} \)
3. \( T = 30 \, \text{N} \)
4. \( T < 30 \, \text{N} \)
5. \( T > 30 \, \text{N} \)
### Explanation:
Consider the forces acting on both boxes:
1. **For the 30-N weight (hanging vertically):**
- The force of gravity acting downward is 30 N.
- The tension \( T \) in the string acts upward.
If the system were at equilibrium, the tension \( T \) would equal the weight, i.e., 30 N. However, since the 30-N weight is causing the 10-N box to accelerate, the tension must be less than 30 N in order to account for the net force required to accelerate the system.
2. **For the 10-N box (on the table):**
- The tension \( T \) in the string pulls the box horizontally.
### Conclusion:
The tension \( T \) in the string is causing the 10-N box to accelerate horizontally, and the same tension is counteracting part of the 30-N weight's force. Therefore:
\[ T < 30 \, \text{N} \]
So, the correct answer is:
- \( T < 30 \, \text{N} \)
This setup allows students to understand the principles of tension in strings, forces in equilibrium, and the effects of acceleration in a frictionless environment.](/v2/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcontent.bartleby.com%2Fqna-images%2Fquestion%2Fa5d0ed69-4925-4403-a796-f6681910a505%2F9c2ee1c5-8606-463e-beb1-8085bd7eec73%2Fk8e5ekq_processed.png&w=3840&q=75)
Transcribed Image Text:### Tension in a String Connected to Two Boxes
**Problem Description:**
Two boxes are connected to each other by a string in a system, as shown in the figure. The 10-N box slides without friction on a horizontal table surface. The pulley is ideal, and the string has negligible mass. The question is about determining the tension \( T \) in the string.
**Hint:** You can solve this without needing to solve for the tension exactly.
**Visual Representation:**
In the provided figure:
- The 10-N box rests on a horizontal table.
- A string is connected to this 10-N box and goes over a pulley.
- The other end of the string is connected to a 30-N weight, which hangs vertically off the table.
### Possible Answers:
1. \( T = 10 \, \text{N} \)
2. \( T = 40 \, \text{N} \)
3. \( T = 30 \, \text{N} \)
4. \( T < 30 \, \text{N} \)
5. \( T > 30 \, \text{N} \)
### Explanation:
Consider the forces acting on both boxes:
1. **For the 30-N weight (hanging vertically):**
- The force of gravity acting downward is 30 N.
- The tension \( T \) in the string acts upward.
If the system were at equilibrium, the tension \( T \) would equal the weight, i.e., 30 N. However, since the 30-N weight is causing the 10-N box to accelerate, the tension must be less than 30 N in order to account for the net force required to accelerate the system.
2. **For the 10-N box (on the table):**
- The tension \( T \) in the string pulls the box horizontally.
### Conclusion:
The tension \( T \) in the string is causing the 10-N box to accelerate horizontally, and the same tension is counteracting part of the 30-N weight's force. Therefore:
\[ T < 30 \, \text{N} \]
So, the correct answer is:
- \( T < 30 \, \text{N} \)
This setup allows students to understand the principles of tension in strings, forces in equilibrium, and the effects of acceleration in a frictionless environment.
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