How do I caluculate tension Please help?

Question

I am totally confused about these two problems. I don't even know where to begin. I have spent 2 days trying to solve these two problems. Some one please Helpppppppppp immediately.

1. A 60.0kg mass is suspended from a rope which is threaded over a mass less pulley and then attached to a hook on a vertical wall. Draw or describe free-body diagram for the mass and another for the hook and show how each is in equilibrium. Calculate the tension in each part of the rope.


2 . Pulley A is suspended from a rope E, with one end of the rope attached to the ceiling and the other end threaded over pulley B. Pulley B is suspended from the ceiling with a rope G. From pulley A a 60.0kg mass is suspended with a rope F. At the end of the rope E threaded over pulley B is a mass m which keeps the system in balance.

Answer 1

The thing to realize is the tension in the rope is everywhere the same.

In the first problem, the free-body diagram for the mass is an upward force, T, from the tension in the rope opposed by a downward force which is the weight of the mass (Mg). The tension in the rope is just the weight of the mass. The free-body diagram for the hook is a sideward force from the tension in the rope, T, opposed by a sideward force in the opposite direction holding the hook against the vertical wall. The tension in the rope, and the resulting sideward force on the hook exerted by the wall, are equal and the same value as calculated for the hanging mass: 60 kg x 9.82 m/s^2 = 589.2 N.

In the second problem, we must assume that the ropes are suspended vertically, otherwise the weights would pull the two pulleys toward each other. The free-body diagram for the 60 kg mass consists of the weight of the mass downward opposed by the tension in TWO ropes pulling upward. The tension in the rope is therefore HALF the weight of the 60 kg mass. This tension is created by the mass, m, pulling downward on pulley B, said tension being also the tension in the two ropes supporting pulley A. Since this tension is half the weight of the 60 kg mass, the mass, m, is 30 kg.

Answer 2

i can answer this prob, but it would be a helluva lot easier to talk it out than writing it (the pain!).

but