1. What is Pulley Tension?

Pulley tension refers to the force exerted by a string, rope, or cable in a pulley system. In an Atwood machine (a simple pulley system with two masses), the tensions on either side of the pulley are different when the system is accelerating.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the Atwood's machine equations:

Where:

• \( T_1 \) — Tension on the accelerating side (N)
• \( T_2 \) — Tension on the decelerating side (N)
• \( m \) — Mass of the object (kg)
• \( g \) — Gravitational acceleration (9.81 m/s²)
• \( a \) — System acceleration (m/s²)

Explanation: The equations account for both the gravitational force and the additional force due to acceleration in the system.

3. Importance of Tension Calculation

Details: Calculating pulley tensions is crucial for designing mechanical systems, understanding physics problems, and ensuring safety in lifting operations.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the mass in kilograms and acceleration in m/s². For a system in equilibrium (no acceleration), enter 0 for acceleration.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What if the acceleration is negative?
A: Negative acceleration means the system is decelerating. The calculator will still work correctly, showing higher tension on the side that's slowing down.

Q2: What are typical tension values?
A: Tension values depend on mass and acceleration. For a 1kg mass at rest, tension equals weight (9.81 N).

Q3: Does this work for multiple pulleys?
A: This calculator is for simple Atwood machine with one pulley. Complex systems require additional calculations.

Q4: What about friction?
A: This calculator assumes an ideal, frictionless pulley. Real-world applications may need to account for friction.

Q5: Can T₂ be negative?
A: If acceleration exceeds g (9.81 m/s²), T₂ could theoretically be negative, which means the string would go slack.