Practice Tension in Physics

Use these practice problems to test your method after reviewing the concept explanation and worked examples.

Quick Recap

The pulling force transmitted through a rope, string, or cable when it is pulled taut at both ends.

The 'tightness' you feel in a rope when both ends are being pulled in opposite directions.

Example 1

easy
A 3 \text{ kg} lamp hangs from a single vertical rope. What is the tension in the rope? Use g = 9.8 \text{ m/s}^2.

Example 2

medium
A 5 \text{ kg} block is pulled upward by a rope with an acceleration of 3 \text{ m/s}^2. What is the tension in the rope? Use g = 9.8 \text{ m/s}^2.

Example 3

medium
A 5 kg mass hangs from a rope. Find the tension in the rope. (Use g = 9.8 m/s\u00b2)

Example 4

medium
Two blocks (3 \text{ kg} and 5 \text{ kg}) are connected by a rope on a frictionless table. A 24 \text{ N} force pulls the 5 \text{ kg} block. What is the tension in the connecting rope?

Example 5

hard
A 4 \text{ kg} mass hangs from a rope over a frictionless pulley, connected to a 6 \text{ kg} mass on the other side. What is the tension in the rope and the acceleration of the system? Use g = 9.8 \text{ m/s}^2.