University Physics with Modern Physics (14th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321973615
ISBN 13: 978-0-32197-361-0

Chapter 5 - Applying Newton's Laws - Problems - Exercises - Page 167: 5.91

Answer

$a_1 = \frac{2m_2~g}{4m_1 + m_2}$ $a_2 = \frac{m_2~g}{4m_1 + m_2}$

Work Step by Step

Let $a_1$ be the acceleration of block 1. Let $a_2$ be the acceleration of block 2. When block 2 falls a distance of one unit, we can see that block 1 will move to the right 2 units. Therefore, $a_1 = 2a_2$. Let $T_1$ be the tension in the string on block 1. Let $T_2$ be the tension in the string on block 2. When we examine the pulley above block 2, we can see that $T_2 = 2T_1$. $T_1 = m_1 ~a_1$ $m_2~g - T_2 = m_2~a_2$ $m_2~g - 2T_1 = m_2~a_2$ $m_2~g - 2m_1~a_1 = m_2~a_2$ $m_2~g - 4m_1~a_2 = m_2~a_2$ $m_2~g = 4m_1~a_2 + m_2~a_2$ $a_2 = \frac{m_2~g}{4m_1 + m_2}$ $a_1 = 2a_2 = \frac{2m_2~g}{4m_1 + m_2}$
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