COSMOS: Complete Online Solutions Manual Organization System

Chapter 12, Solution 30.

Let yA, yB, and yC be the position coordinates of blocks A, B, and C respectively measured downward from the
upper support. Then the corresponding velocities and accelerations are positive downward.
Constraint of cable: y A − yB + y A + 2 yB + yC = constant
Differentiating twice, a A − aB + a A + 2aB + aC = 0
2a A + aB + aC = 0 (1)
Draw free body diagrams of each of the blocks.

Block A. ΣF = ma : m A g − 2T = m Aa A
2T
aA = g − (2)
mA
Block B. ΣF = ma : mB g − T = mB aB
T
aB = g − (3)
mB
Block C. ΣF = ma : mC g − T = mC aC
T
aC = g − (4)
mC
Substitute (2), (3) and (4) into (1).
 2T   T   T 
2 g −  + g −  + g − =0
 mA   mB   mC 
 4 1 1 
4g −  + + T = 0
 mA mB mC 

( 4 )( 9.81) −  + +  T = 0
4 1 1
T = 65.4 N
 10 10 10 

Substitute into (2), a A = 9.81 −

( 2 )( 65.4 ) = − 3.27 m/s2
10
1
(a) Change in position. y A − ( y A )0 = a At 2
2
1
y A − ( y A )0 = ( − 3.27 )( 0.5)2 = − 0.409 m
2
∆y = 0.409 m !

(b) Tension in the cable. T = 65.4 N !

Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Statics and Dynamics, 8/e, Ferdinand P. Beer, E. Russell Johnston, Jr.,
Elliot R. Eisenberg, William E. Clausen, David Mazurek, Phillip J. Cornwell
© 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies.