Question

A loaded pail is attached to a rope that passes around an overhead pulley and is tied to a ring on the floor. Linda, a construction worker, plans to untie the rope from the ring, pull on the rope to lift the pail 1m higher, and then retie the rope. Linda weighs 800N and is capable of lifting twice her weight, 1600N. The loaded pail weighs 1200N.

What, if anything, is wrong with Linda's plan? Explain how to correct it, or if the plan will work, explain why.

Answer 1

Answer:

Answer: Linda can only exert a downward force equal to her weight of 800 N or less, so she

cannot do it.

Explanation:

The tension in the rope is equal to the weight of the pail, 1200 N. When she

unties the rope, the tension in the rope will be acting upward on her and her weight will be

acting down. The net force acting on her will be upward, and she will be accelerated upward,

off the ground.