Engineering
Physics
Static and Kinetic Friction

Question

Suppose we consider friction between string and the pulley while still considering the string to be massless. So, in such a theoretical case, the tension in the string in contact with the pulley will not be constant and its variation is calculated as follows:
If the string is just on the verge of slipping on the pulley, then friction acting is limiting and if  T2 > T1 then friction will act towards T1 in tangential direction as shown.

dN = (T + df) sin (dθ/2) + (T + dT) sin (dθ/2)
dN = T sin (dθ/2) + df sin (dθ/2) + T sin (dθ/2) + dT sin (dθ/2)
dN ≈ 2T sin (dθ/2)
dN ≈ 2T
dN = Tdθ    ... (1)
Also,    (T + df) cos(2) = (T + dT) cos (2)
T cos (2) + df cos (2) = T cos (2) + dT cos (2)
df = dT = µdN    ... (2)
from (1) & (2),
dT = µTdθ 
T1T2dTT=μ0θ
ℓn(T2T1)=μθ
T2 = T1eµθ , where θ is the angle of contact between the string and the pulley. 

Based on above information, answer the following questions.

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Linked Question 1

Figure shows a cylinder mounted on an horizontal axle. A massless string is wound on it with two and a half turns and connected to two masses m and 2m. If the system is in limiting equilibrium, find the coefficient of friction between the string and the pulley surface.

110πln(2)

25πln(2)

15πln(2)

13πln(2)

Solution
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If the system is in equilibrium, the tensions in two hanging parts of the string will be mg and 2mg respectively. From equation, we have

2mg = mg eµ(5π)   [As the angle of contact = 5π

μ=15πln(2)

Linked Question 2

Two masses m1 kg and m2 kg passes over an atwood machine. Find the ratio of masses m1 and m2 so that string passing over the pulley will just start slipping over its surface. The friction coefficient between the string and pulley surface is 0.2.

0.2

e0.2π

e0.4π

e0.2

Solution
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Verified by Zigyan

For a simple atwood's machine we can write for the two masses 
         m1g – T1 = m1a    
and    T2 – m2g = m2a
and if string starts slipping, we have  
         T1 = T2eµπ 
or    m1(g – a) = m2(g + a)eµπ 
If sting just slips, we can use a = 0, thus we have

m1m2=e0.2π