AI Article Synopsis
- The motion of weights on a frictionless pulley helps illustrate the relationship between force and acceleration in physics.
- When one weight is removed and one end of the chain is pulled with constant acceleration, it causes significant changes in the motion of the chain.
- This results in the chain lifting off the pulley and eventually accelerating in a way that creates a dramatic reversal, similar to the snap of a whip, which can be understood through experiments and simulations.
Article Abstract
The motion of weights attached to a chain or string moving on a frictionless pulley is a classic problem of introductory physics used to understand the relationship between force and acceleration. Here, we consider the dynamics of the chain when one of the weights is removed and, thus, one end is pulled with constant acceleration. This simple change has dramatic consequences for the ensuing motion: at a finite time, the chain 'lifts off' from the pulley, and the free end subsequently accelerates than the end that is pulled. Eventually, the chain undergoes a dramatic reversal of curvature reminiscent of the crack or snap, of a whip. We combine experiments, numerical simulations and theoretical arguments to explain key aspects of this dynamical problem.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4950211 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rspa.2016.0187 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!