ENGINEERING APPLICATION, MULTISTEP You have designed a
Chapter , Problem 35(choose chapter or problem)
ENGINEERING APPLICATION, MULTISTEP You have designed a novelty desk clock, as shown in Figure 7-40. You are worried that it is not ready for market because the clock itself might be in an unstable equilibrium configuration. You decide to apply your knowledge of potential energies and equilibrium conditions and analyze the situation. The clock (mass m) is supported by two light cables running over the two frictionless pulleys of negligible diameter, which are attached to counterweights that each have mass M. (a) Find the potential energy of the system as a function of the distance y. (b) Find the value of y for which the potential energy of the system is a minimum. (c) If the potential energy is a minimum, then the system is in equilibrium. Apply Newton’s second law to the clock and show that it is in equilibrium (the forces on it sum to zero) for the value of y obtained for Part (b). (d) Finally, determine whether you are going to be able to market this gadget: is this a point of stable or unstable equilibrium?
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