Question

Two blocks with masses of ma and mb are connected to each other and to a central post by thin rods. The blocks revolve about the post at the same frequency on a frictionless horizontal surface at distances ra and rb from the post. Derive an alegbraic expression for the tension in each rod.

Answer 1

To find the tension in each rod in a rotating system, use the algebraic expression T₁ = ma × ω² × ra for one block and T₂ = mb × ω² × rb for the other block.

Step-by-step explanation:

To derive the algebraic expression for the tension in each rod, we can start by analyzing the forces acting on each block. Let's assume that the block with mass 'ma' is at a distance 'ra' from the post, and the block with mass 'mb' is at a distance 'rb' from the post. Both blocks are revolving about the post at the same frequency.

For the block with mass 'ma', the tension in the rod can be represented as T₁ = ma × ω² × ra, where ω is the angular velocity.

Similarly, for the block with mass 'mb', the tension in the rod can be represented as T₂ = mb × ω² × rb.