Tension force intuition

[rife168]

Would someone be able to explain the tension force in connected body problems and how to calculate it?
I know that there is a simple formula for it but I need an intuitive way to think about the problem before blindly plugging in values.
Thanks.

[Phy124]

Tension is usually the force responsible for pulling the body forward. So to calculate it you re-arrange the formula of F_net = forces one way - forces the other way (where tension, will be one of the forces)

So in some cases you might have:

F_net = T - F_r

As the force of T is forwards and the frictional force (F_r) is backward.

In a case, where, say a ball is being held by a wire from the roof then:

F_net = F_g - T

As the force of T is upwards and the gravitational force (F_g) is downwards.

In a case where you are given the acceleration of the body and it's mass, then:

T = ma (where m = the total mass that that the wire is pulling)

There are various types of questions involving tension so if you provide a more narrow range of questions I'll be able to offer more help.

[rife168]

How about questions with 2 masses connected by some sort of rope/wire that passes over a pulley, where both bodies are free to move vertically?

[Phy124]

Let's say, in this case, m₁ > m₂

Therefore m₁g > m₂g and for this reason m₁ will accelerate down and m₂ will accelerate up

So on the left:

F_net = F_g - T = m₁a

or F_net = m₁g - T = m₁a

on the right:

F_net = T -  F_g = m₂a

or F_net = T - m₂g = m₂a

edit: I can also give explanation of finding a for the above if needed

edit2: I've found this which might offer better explanations and working out than I can offer.

[rife168]

Thanks! That helps a lot. I just needed to clear up that the forces m₁g>T>m₂g