Question

When a motor is set on a pivoted mount seen below, its weight can be used to maintain tension in the drive belt. When the motor is not running, the tensions T1 and T2 are equal. The total mass of the platform and the motor is 100.0 kg, and the diameter of the drive belt pulley is 16.0 cm.

(a) Find the tension in the belt.

a) 490 N
b) 735 N
c) 980 N
d) 1225 N

Answer 1

Tension is equal to the weight of the motor and platform in the given case. The tension in the belt when the motor is off is 980 N. Hence, the correct answer is option (c).

Step-by-step explanation:

To find the tension in the belt when the motor is off, we can set up an equilibrium equation. Since the tensions T1 and T2 are equal when the motor is not running, we can equate their magnitudes to find the tension in the belt. The weight of the motor and platform creates a downward force, which is balanced by the upward tension in the belt. The tension in the belt can be found using the equation:

Tension = Weight of the motor and platform

To calculate the weight of the motor and platform, we can use the equation:

Weight = mass × gravitational acceleration

Substituting the given values, we have:

Weight = 100.0 kg × 9.8 m/s² = 980 N

Therefore, the tension in the belt is 980 N.